Why Train?

HSE hydrocarbon release statistics show that over 10% of all reportable releases occur at flanged joints.

In July 2000, the HSE issued a safety notice (view Safety Notice 2/2000) as a result of two major incidents on offshore installations of hydrocarbon release caused by the incorrect torque being applied to bolting while assembling flanged joints. This notice states that:

• Flogging and impacting are highly inaccurate and should not be used
• Torque tightening and hydraulic bolt tensioning are specialist skills
• Only trained and competent personnel should undertake these activities, and they should use equipment which is correctly maintained and calibrated
• Owners of offshore installations should ensure that personnel involved in supervising and performing these activities are adequately trained and competent to work on this equipment.

In November 2000, as a result of a UKOOA/HSE workshop on offshore hydrocarbon releases a small working group of North Sea Operators including Hydratight was formed to develop and implement the ‘Guidelines for the Management of Integrity of Bolted Pipe Joints’ which was rolled out to the industry in June 2002.

This document states that:

• Control of the competence of people working with joints is the most important factor in preventing leaks.
• To assist in maintaining ongoing competence, a record should be maintained of each individual’s mechanical jointing performance. This should comprise details of the types of joints the individual has worked on, whether the joints have performed satisfactorily, and details of any further training required.

In June 2007 Hydratight were invited to attend and contribute to the re-write Of the UK Oil and Gas document entitled "Guidelines for the Management of the Integrity of Bolted Joints for Pressurised Systems", which is targeted for onshore COMAH sites as well as offshore.

Content includes sections specific to:

• Bolted joint technology and practice
• Criticality assessment
• Training & competence
• Records, data management and tagging
• Management of leaks
• In-service inspection

Potential hydrocarbon leaks from bolted joints are always present and can lead to safety incidents, environmental pollution and costly downtime. Even a minor leak can be costly and pose serious health, safety and environmental issues throughout the oil, gas and petrochemical industries.

To maintain awareness and the benefits to be gained from achieving the recommended high standard of training and levels of competency, industry operators must ensure personnel continue to be trained and assessed in all aspects of total joint integrity to a recognised standard that is transferable globally.

Hydratight has over 25 years experience of working with operators and training bodies providing consultation, training and competence assessment such as:

• Engineering Construction Industry Training Board
• City & Guilds
• OLF – The Norwegian Oil Industry Association
• Energy Institute

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