Enerpac GT bolt tensioners were combined with an ATP-1500 air pump, as Projem worked on two new compressor stations and the main feed connection point on a pipeline to a Gladstone processing plant.

They also helped with pipe cutting and preparation of heavy wall pipes as well as on-site installation of pipework at the major processing hub of Gladstone, where CSG has grown to become the dominant source of gas, supplying more than 88% of the state’s market and over 98% of remaining proved and probable gas reserves.

Projem, which has branches in Gladstone and Brishane, has used Enerpac equipment to tension more than 500 flange connections, and Projem mechanical engineer Nathan Peachey said it shows “very little” wear and tear.

“All we need to do is calibrate the tensioning pump at appropriate intervals to keep the pressure as accurate as possible and Enerpac helps us with that too,” he added.

Enerpac territory manager, southeast Queensland and northern NSW Sandy Whyman said that multiple bolts could be fastened at one time using exactly the same pressure from the same power source.

This ability to “daisy chain” hydraulic tensioners gives even pressures across a bolted surface, which Peachey said was a major advantage in the industries in which they were used, especially where high technology, high pressure equipment is involved.

“Enerpac have provided excellent engineering support by [Enerpac national bolting manager] Pat Molloy when supplying pressures for specific flange connections. Results have been accurate, which reduces rework of joints, which is timely and expensive,” Peachey said.