The American Petroleum Institute released a new technical report intended to help oil and gas companies select the right materials for bolting, a key to safe and reliable oil and gas operations. The new standard, “Materials Selection for Bolting,” aims to help companies choose the correct materials in manufacturing low-alloy, stainless steel, and nickel-based fasteners that are resistant to the effects of harsh environmental land and sea conditions, it said.
Choosing the correct bolting based on the environment in which a company is working helps assure that these important components are resilient in their operating environment, API said. Its bolting standard refers to manufacturing standards for bolts, screws, nuts, washers, and studs best suited to the conditions where drillers and pipeline operators will be working, it said.
The manufacturing standards that the API publication recommends are Specifications 20E and 20F, pertaining to alloy and carbon-steel bolting and corrosion-resistant bolting, respectively.
API said the guidance also includes bolting recommendations for offshore drilling in both shallow and deep water, addressing saltwater corrosion issues faced by facilities. The guidance also addresses the types of bolts required for onshore operations in desert, tropical, and arctic conditions.
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