In a step to address a critical safety concern involving the failure of subsea bolts offshore, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) director Brian Salerno is forming an interagency group to focus on the subsea bolt issue and the risks it poses to offshore operations.

Director Salerno is calling upon federal partners to work on this critical safety issue as part of BSEE’s Interagency Bolt Action Team.

“The failure of bolts in subsea oil and gas operations presents a major risk for offshore workers and the environment,” Salerno said. “I have challenged offshore operators, drilling companies, manufacturers and industry organizations to be more proactive in addressing this safety issue and it makes sense to bring our federal counterparts into this important effort.”

Federal team members including subject-matter experts and regulators from bolts-related industries will work together to identify root causes of the bolt/connector failures, review industry standards, and develop solutions for future safe use of bolts and connectors, BSEE explained.

“By engaging with subject matter experts and individuals with knowledge of materials science and metallurgical shearing and corrosion, the team will be the first cross-agency group to address the causes and solutions to the bolt problem,” Salerno added.