
%0 Journal Article
%A Noble, R. 
%T INTEGRITY OF BOLTED JOINTS: HYDROCARBON LEAK REDUCTION BY JOINT-INTEGRITY MANAGEMENT
%J The APPEA Journal
%D 2006/06/30
%V 46
%N 1
%P 603-610
%K 
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ05041
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/AJ05041 
%X Bolted joints are very common in petroleum production facilities. Whereas extensive controls are applied to the production of a welded joint&#x2014;in terms of material control and specification, control and competence of the welder, and verification of the integrity of the weld&#x2014;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. 
