API Strengthens Subsea Bolting Integrity with Updated Standard
The American Petroleum Institute (API) is pleased to announce the release of the third edition of API Specification 20E (API Spec 20E), Alloy and Carbon Steel Bolting for Use in the Petroleum and Natural Gas Industries. This latest edition enhances the standardization and quality assurance of bolting materials, crucial for the safety and integrity of operations in the natural gas and oil industry, particularly those in offshore operations.
Significant Updates and Changes
API Spec 20E, 3rd edition, addresses the evolving challenges of offshore operations, where the integrity of subsea bolting is critical to prevent failures. The updated standard seeks to improve the quality and reliability of bolting materials, directly aligning with the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement’s (BSEE) focus on improving the dependability of essential safety equipment like blowout preventers (BOPs). As such, the edition introduces significant enhancements in bolting manufacturing standards, including new material specifications, stricter supplier oversight, new bolting grades, and the inclusion of metric equivalents for thread descriptions, all designed to elevate manufacturing quality and operational safety.
Regulatory Significance
In November 2023, BSEE proposed a rule to, for the first time, incorporate by reference the second edition of API Spec 20E into the regulations governing industry operations in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in the United States. The third edition also aligns with critical safety and environmental standards, highlighting its anticipated impact on industry practices.
Continuous Improvement
The release of this updated standard reflects API’s commitment to continually improve operational integrity and safety across the natural gas and oil industry. By incorporating the latest technologies and industry feedback, the third edition of API Spec 20E aims to significantly reduce the risk of bolting failures, affirming the industry’s commitment to protecting workers, communities and the environment.
For more information on API Spec 20E, please visit https://www.apiwebstore.org/.
