Measurement fasteners extend the life of offshore platforms

With expectations that oil and gas fields may still be producing for another 25 to 30 years, work is now underway for the re-fit of measurement fasteners on existing offshore production infrastructure, such as heat exchangers and high pressure pipe work and flanges, but it is where new designs and engineering techniques have had to be used that the fasteners have been helping to break new ground. James Walker RotaBolt is currently supplying a range of its measurement fasteners to offshore contractors for use on clamping systems, flanges and jacket reinforcement designs. These vary from M24 bolts on clamps of less than half a metre in diameter, up to M90 bolts that are 3.5 metres long being used on cable stay clamps that are 130 tonnes. RotaBolts have been used in offshore applications, including subsea, since the mid-1980s. Bolting materials have changed over time in the quest for increased corrosion resistance, but the original technology that assures the correct tension is being achieved has remained unchanged. "There are still RotaBolts in service that were fitted on underwater applications back in the mid-80s," commented Mike Hadley, engineering manager, "in fact these are currently being re-checked as part of the extended life activity."