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Subject: Horizontal subsea system ring gasket installation

I have to install a BX 158 gasket in an 11" 10M flange connection, underwater, using divers. The flange faces will be vertical. How can I hold the gasket in place while the flanges are drawn together? Can I drill a small hole partially through the side of the gasket, tap it, and screw in a small threaded rod to hold the gasket?

Answer:

Nothing prevents this as long as you use a screw thread smaller in diameter than the vertical surface width (shown horizontal in the illustration above) on the O.D. of the gasket, and you don't drill more than half way through the gasket. Use care to avoid any damage to the sealing surfaces on the gaskets while drilling and tapping. Don't tighten the rod much, so it will easily unscrew, and be careful not to let the flanges come so close together before you remove the rod that you pinch the rod and bind it from unscrewing.

Other special conditions exist during underwater make-up of connections using API ring gaskets. Special ring gaskets and/or techniques can facilitate this make-up.

Please see Ring Gasket Handling and Test Rack Tips for info you need for trouble free underwater make up.

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