Director's Corner - Talking About Bolts
Last month I wrote about the “bolt problem” that has been plaguing subsea equipment. I discussed a couple examples of unexpected connector bolt failures and described some of the steps the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) is taking to try to solve this alarming situation. I stressed that we must address the problem because a failure of critical offshore safety equipment could put workers and the environment at high risk for a catastrophic incident.
This month I want to share with you news about two important events that kick off BSEE’s drive to solve the bolt problem. The initial event occurred today, August 23rd, when BSEE held its first dialogue with the newly formed Interagency Bolt Action Team. A few weeks ago I sent a letter of invitation to every federal agency or research laboratory that I thought might have staff with metallurgical or engineering expertise. The letter asked them to identify experts within their organization who would be willing to participate on the Interagency Bolt Action Team. I hoped my letter would encourage them to join our effort to determine the scope and breadth of the bolt problem. I am pleased to report that, so far, 12 agencies and national laboratories from the federal family have accepted BSEE’s invitation to participate.
This morning, my staff and I had a frank and open conversation with the Action Team members. They represented a diverse set of agencies, including the Department of Energy, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Their parallel experiences with issues related to bolts convinced me that working together we can get to the bottom of the problem. We discussed matters that cover many fronts, such as hydrogen-induced corrosion and the issue of subcontractor oversight.
A second event this month will take place on August 29th and is titled the “Critical Offshore Connector Safety Forum.” We issued an open invitation on our website and are rapidly approaching capacity for this event. The Safety Forum will be an opportunity for stakeholders and the public to learn more about the bolt problem and also an opportunity for those with expertise to connect with us.
I believe these two events will mark a major step forward in our efforts to make sure the offshore energy industry is moving as expeditiously as possible to address the bolt problem. As the regulator of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas industry, BSEE has an obligation to make sure that offshore operators are conducting their activities in a manner that is as safe as possible. Currently, we believe safety is at risk due to bolt failures. Some corrective measures have already been taken, and we applaud those efforts, but we are still some distance from truly solving the bolt problem.
The two events held August 23rd and 29th will be followed by other activities, including future gatherings and investigations of the Interagency Bolt Action Team. Simultaneously, we are setting up studies of the problem and working with bolt manufacturers and industry users of bolts. In short, BSEE plans to lean forward on this issue until it is resolved. In the coming months I feel confident we will understand the extent of the problem, and I suspect that soon afterward we will know why the bolts are failing and what needs to be done to make sure they don’t fail going forward. At that point we will take the necessary steps to make sure the needed changes happen in a reasonable amount of time. This is the mandate the American people have given BSEE, and we will do all we can to fulfill that mandate.