Industry first credential set to mitigate leaks, unplanned downtime and safety incidents

EnerMech has made a major contribution to a new certification by the American Petroleum Institute (API) for Bolted Flange Joints (BFJ), designed to improve integrity, safety and reliability across the oil and gas sector. 

The Certification programs qualify and test industry professionals for specialized knowledge and understanding of practical skills to ensure the safety of BFJs in critical applications. EnerMech experts Allan Dickie, Michael Amos and Scott Smith brought decades of field experience, technical precision, and safety-first thinking to the process, with their involvement ensuring the certification reflects real-world challenges faced by professionals working with BFJs in high-risk environments.

It is the oil and gas industry’s first recognized credential focused on bolted joint integrity and validates critical skills in flange joint inspection and assembly, which are essential for safety, environmental performance and operational efficiency across the sector. 

Improperly assembled bolted flange joints are a leading cause of leaks, unplanned downtime and safety incidents. Ensuring these connections are correctly inspected helps maintain operational safety, environmental protection and system reliability. It also reduces the risk of failures and costly repairs, making inspection a key component in maintaining high-performance, compliant operations.  

EnerMech’s contribution to the development of these certification programs ensured that it was shaped in line with the practical and safety critical requirements of real-world oil and gas sector requirements.  

Dickie, Technical Authority at EnerMech, said: 
“As an organization, EnerMech prioritizes safety above all else, and we are proud to have contributed to a new safety standard which will improve the working conditions of those on the frontlines of the oil and gas sector.  

“I would like to commend our colleagues at the API for their shared safety principles and for their contributions to an industry-leading standard. Together, we would encourage professionals looking to advance their career to undertake the qualification and contribute to safer practices.” 

KeyFacts Energy Industry Directory: EnerMech