The future for API & ISO
With the supply disruptions and increasing global economy conflicts , the need for design compatibility with multiple material sources in best interests of product availability plays a key role in present times . One such example , is introduction to a partial re-test for new material sources meeting certain stated requirements to improve the valve production scope . In addition , API fugitive emission standard development group , together with the support of several valve and packing manufacturers , testing laboratories , performed high temperature tests to define a new scope for valves used in high temperature services . This may pave the way for more standard developments in the future for valves in severe service conditions . In recent years ISO has recognized the importance of valve packing type test API 622 and is working to create ISO 15848-3 , an equivalent version to API by adopting the standard API 622 limitations . API is also currently underway creating the 10 th edition for API Q1 with significant changes from the 9th edition and anticipates publishing the document on third quarter of 2022 . Following are some significant changes proposed in the latest ballot :
• Alignment with the requirements of ISO 9001:2015
• Document Scope Change to include “ Organisations providing products for Petroleum and Natural Gas Industry ”
• Revised requirements for supplier evaluations
• Removal of preventive actions
• Addition and revisions of definitions
• Examples of organisations that provide the product / service .
Having two different sets of guidelines for natural gas and oil companies to adhere gets confusing at times . With API Q1 adopting and aligning requirements of ISO 9001 , it shows that the two systems work together to ensure a more productive outcome . Both API Spec Q1 and ISO 9001 ensure that the proper documentation has been developed and is in place in the event of certain proceedings . Meeting ISO 9001 would generate a certificate for the business organisation while API Q1 is a monogram program , and its compliance would have the product monogrammed as well .
Standards & Certifications
Conclusion
Ultimately , the end results for both API & ISO governing standards are the same : to provide a higher quality of service and ensure that businesses carry out the safest and most efficient way possible . In the end , the user must decide the correct approach to meet either ISO or API based on their desired need and requirements set forth by the operating parameters and business necessity .
About the author :
Mani P Pilla , Mechanical Engineer at Smith Valves has over 10 years experience in the valve design and testing for the Chemical and Refining Industries . He graduated with a masters in mechanical engineering from University of Houston and brings a unique perspective of product design cycle management and application engineering . His focus for the years in the valve industry has been on improving the valve designs and optimisation , troubleshooting problems , valve testing , and certification .
Valves for Marjan Project
Oliver Valves has delivered a range of valves for Saudi Aramco ’ s USD 18bn offshore expansion plans .
Oliver Valves , working in collaboration with its sister company Oliver Twinsafe has reached phase two of production to fulfil a significant GBP 7 million order to supply the Marjan Oil Field Development in the Arabian Gulf . Since 2021 , Oliver ’ s have been working closely with a major EPC contractor in the Middle East region to deliver a range of valves for the Marjan project , which is owned and operated by Saudi Arabia ’ s state-owned oil and gas company , Saudi Aramco . The oil field development has undergone huge expansion to increase production capacity for crude , ethane and natural gas liquids . This offshore expansion forms part of Saudi Aramco ’ s USD 18 billion investment programme in the region and includes ; tie-in platforms , production decks , subsea export and infield pipelines . Oliver ’ s second
phase delivers on a large number of 2 ” Trunnion Double Block and Bleed Ball Valves that have been designed and tested to API 6A standard and are to be supplied to multiple Tie-in and Wellhead Platforms . Valve production and testing is expected to be completed by January 2023 .
About the company
Oliver Valves Ltd , Oliver Valvetek Ltd and Oliver Twinsafe Ltd are manufacturers of instrumentation , subsea and pipeline valves , along with its newly established company for the hydrogen and carbon capture market , Oliver Hydcovalves Ltd . Today the four companies design and produce a range of precision-quality valve solutions to meet the needs of ever-demanding applications . www . valve-world . net Valve World November 2022
47