BSEE sponsors subsea bolt performance workshop, consensus study

WASHINGTON -- The National Materials and Manufacturing Board of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine will conduct a workshop April 10-11 to discuss the causes of bolt material failures and possible options for reducing the risks associated with bolts in subsea oil and gas operations. The workshop, open to the public, is part of a project sponsored by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) and will take place at the Keck Center in Washington, D.C.

Upon completion of the workshop, a follow-up study will address reliability issues associated with the connectors and other fastener systems used in critical safety components and equipment offshore. This study will build upon the workshop’s presentations and discussions. The completed study will include assessments and provide options for possible alternative solutions.

BSEE staff has been working to address a recurring problem with faulty connector industrial-sized bolts in safety-critical equipment currently deployed offshore. Since 2003 there have been a number of failures of bolts that are used to connect BOPs, risers, and other subsea equipment. In addition to the NAS workshop and study, the bureau has sought out other interested parties to address the issue. BSEE hosted a well-attended August 2016 public forum on critical offshore connector equipment failures, and also chartered an Interagency Bolt Action Team in September 2016 share the expertise, data, and experience to develop best practices on fastener safety.

Interested parties can register here.