INTEGRITY OF BOLTED JOINTS: HYDROCARBON LEAK REDUCTION BY JOINT-INTEGRITY MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Bolted joints are very common in petroleum production facilities. Whereas extensive controls are applied to the production of a welded joint—in terms of material control and specification, control and competence of the welder, and verification of the integrity of the weld—this is not the case for bolted joints. The consequences of failure of a welded joint and a bolted joint, however, are similar and potentially catastrophic if the contents of the pipeline or vessel are hydrocarbons under pressure. This paper discusses the main issues in producing and maintaining a leak-free bolted joint and makes the case for establishing industry-wide standards for the management of bolted joints that are equally as stringent as those applied to welded joints.

Implementing such a system, whilst improving and assuring the safety and environmental performance of an asset, will also reduce costs due to rework, product loss, schedule slippage and production downtime.