BSEE Sends Safety Alert Concerning Faulty Connector and Bolt Failures
On February 2nd, 2006, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement sent a Safety Alert to the offshore oil and gas industry concerning connector and bolt failures in critical safety equipment currently deployed offshore.
The details are shown below:
BSEE is aware of a recurring problem of connector and bolt failures in various components used in risers and subsea blowout preventers used in offshore operations. These failures are of great concern to BSEE due to their frequency and the potential for a catastrophic event. A previous occurrence of bolt failures in December 2012 prompted a global recall of the bolts associated and a temporary cessation of drilling activities. The fact that these failures involved equipment from three primary manufacturers suggests that this may be a systemic industry problem that requires immediate attention.
Recommendations: At a minimum, operators should work with the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to:
- Verify that there is complete documentation that demonstrates that all components that are currently in service satisfy the metallurgical properties specified by the OEM and the latest industry standards.
- Verify that all installation and maintenance procedures (including torque processes and values) satisfy OEM requirements and ensure that these practices are effectively implemented.
- Report any failures to OEMs and appropriate industry organizations in a timely manner to ensure the prompt transmission of relevant data to the industry.
BSEE is continuing to work with various organizations to evaluate these failures and determine if additional long-term action is needed to prevent additional failures. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available on https://bsee.gov/bolts
At OGC Energy we help operators minimise the risk of bolt-related failures. We support operators in the following areas:
- Developing offshore bolting specifications that consider all possible risks to integrity.
- Quality assurance specialised support with a strong focus in metallurgy.
- Integrity management and data auditing, making sure your data is up do date and your IM system can identify risks before they become anomalies.
Contact us to find out more.
