Summit meetings

The OGP (formerly the E&P Forum) hosted two Standards Summit Meetings, in 1995 and 1996. The significance of these meetings was that they gathered together for the first time the leaders of the key bodies for the E&P industry standardisation efforts to discuss strategy and the way forward. Standardisation bodies represented were API, ISO, CEN, EUROPIA, CRINE, NORSOK, IP and EEMUA.

A number of actions were agreed at these meetings. These actions are basically complete. In order to share with you the results of the most relevant and important actions completed, the following pages have been created.

One of the key actions taken was to develop a mission statement, and the following was subsequently adopted by ISO/TC67 at its plenary meeting in Milan in September 1996:

‘Create value added standards for the oil and gas industry’

Other actions have so far produced the following results and information:

Certification needs assessment study

The aim of this study was to establish the need for certification systems as seen by the entire worldwide oil and gas industry. The work was performed by KPMG Peat Marwick under the management of a steering committee with international representation. Funding was provided by the American Petroleum Institute. 

Executive Summary

The Five Key Messages as determined by the Steering Committee are as follows.

Key Message 1

The survey indicates regional differences in the need for and use of certification. There are notable differences depending on stage of industry development, and feeling that current systems do not meet the diversity of needs. Specially:

  • Europe and North America tend to prefer first party certification.
  • Where established systems are used, North America prefers API and Europe prefers ISO.
  • Asia suggest a strong need for third party service certification; Europe suggest a lesser need; and North America does not express this need.
  • Everywhere except Europe and North America tends to prefer third party certification, and suggest a need for more.

Key Message 2

The survey indicates significant confusion on several points, enumerated below. Additionally, the results indicate a need for additonal information and/or education to reduce the level of confusion. Specific points of confusion are:

  • What certification is, including distinctions between systems of certifications
  • Why certification is used
  • What benefits certification provides
  • Roles of individual well-know systems (e.g. ISO 9000)

Key Message 3

The survey indicates that companies tend to rely on known suppliers, and that use of know suppliers the highest level of confidence. Therefore, third party certifications is not widely used.

Key Message 4

Overall, respondents are satisfied with the existing certifications processes and do not desire significant change. However, survey respondents expressed desire for a simple certification system, possibly combining current systems (e.g. API and ISO), and indicated a willingness to recive and use further information on certification.

Key Message 5

Overall, certification is viewed by users as a ‘risk reduction’ process focusing on safety and life cycle costs, whereas manufactures indicate the need for certification is by the market and user requirements. 

The report

The report may be procured from API Publications and Distribution, Washington, USA. Please call +1 202 682 8375. The report has order no. G00007.