Customer: Southern US LNG Facilities
Service Provided: Integrity Assurance
Industry: Oil & Gas / Downstream
Asset Type
LNG Plant
Date
Ongoing
Location
Louisiana USA
LNG Trains
18
Project
Map 100% of flanges in 18 LNG trains and Power Block
Solution
Hydratight Joint Assurance Software and onsite Joint Integrity Engineer
Two LNG facilities in Louisiana had no existing flange mapping software and limited information available from the original construction phase. This made it difficult to establish a complete and reliable record of bolted joints and ensure consistent joint integrity practices across the facilities. Hydratight's initial focus was to establish the current state of information, site policies and craft competency. The assessment identified several areas requiring improvement: - Inconsistent bolting procedures – Technical Controlled Bolting procedures were not consistently followed, creating a risk of over- or under-tightening bolted joints. - Limited joint history – There was no documented history of bolted joints from one outage to the next. - Limited outage visibility – Flange tightening sequence tagging was not in place to help track progress during outages. - Incomplete asset information – Existing construction information did not provide the comprehensive flange and joint data required for effective ongoing integrity management
Hydratight implemented its Joint Assurance Software, supported by an onsite Joint Integrity Engineer, to establish a structured approach to joint integrity assurance across both LNG facilities.
Establishing the Project Scope
The Hydratight team worked with both facilities to understand the magnitude of the project and define what the customer needed to achieve, including the requirement to map 100% of flanges across 18 LNG trains and the Power Block
Engineering Data & Documentation
Engineering support was provided using P&IDs and isometric drawings to establish the required joint information and provide a reliable foundation for flange and joint mapping.
Craft Training & Competency
The team assessed craft competency and supported training requirements to promote the consistent application of appropriate bolting practices and procedures.
Joint Traceability
Data sheets and Joint Completion Certificates were incorporated into work packages, creating documented records that support traceability and provide a history of completed joint work.
The project is establishing a 100% flange map across 18 LNG trains and the Power Block, providing a structured foundation for joint integrity management
Data capture, documented procedures and competency support help ensure correct fit-ups and the consistent application of joint integrity practices
Torque values are established alongside clear accountability and ownership for individual bolted joints, supporting more consistent execution and verification.
Documented joint information provides a history that can be used to support future outage planning and maintenance activities.
Training and competency activities support the safe operation of both manual and hydraulic torque equipment.
Working alongside the LNG Maintenance Department, turnaround teams and contractors, Hydratight is helping establish the documentation, training and data capture required to support leak-free turnaround start-ups
Hydratight supports LNG and other critical industrial facilities with specialist joint integrity expertise, data management and field support. Contact our team to discuss your upcoming maintenance or turnaround project and see how a structured approach to joint integrity can improve traceability, reduce risk and support reliable plant operation.
