Sharing Information To Promote Oil And Gas Industry Standardisation In ISO
Authors: Thomas G.A.N. , Reeve P.T.N. , Spanhel J.M. 
Published: October 2008

This paper outlines some of the relationships and communication methods for sharing information on the standardisation work of lSO/TC 67 "Materials, Equipment and Offshore Structures for Petroleum and Natural Gas Industries".

The paper also describes the development and distribution by lSO/TC 67/AG 3 of a Database of Committees, Standards and Delegates that is now freely availablethrough the API and national standards bodies.

INTRODUCTION

ISO has been regarded as a remote group, who develop standards haphazardly and very slowly with few gaining real international acceptance. Indeed, the view still abounds that 'ISO' means the ISO 9000 series of Quality Management System standards and no more. It is becoming well known, however, that ISO is working ever more closely with the API to take the lead in maintaining key international standards for the oil and gas industry globally.

ISO works in this area not only because the industry wishes it, but also because the industry provides the technical resources that enable it to do so. The resources must be managed to maximize effectiveness and secure delivery of the standards. This information must be shared widely to be sure that all interested parties are contributing, and so that the resulting standards can be promoted for international use with confidence that benefik will accrue.

The ISO process has been well covered in papers previously presented at OTC. The most recent review of the work in lSO/TC 67 was given by Reeve, Johansen and Lautier in their 1994 OTC paper (Ref. 1). An industry update, on behalf of the E&P Forum, is given in another 1995 OTC paper by Thorp et al. (Ref. 2) and this emphasisesthe need to improve and accelerate the processes in order to meet industry needs.

ISO/TC 67 has seventeen standards published (at end 1994) and has some one hundred work items on the work programme. This work programme will expand in 1995 as more new work items are introduced. This information isbeing communicated in a variety of ways: formally, through the established hierarchy of standardising bodies; informally by papers such as this one; by training workshops;and by industry and company initiatives for standard presentations and Newsletters.

ISO/TC 67 has an Advisory Group, AG3, whose work includes maintaining information in the form of an electronic database for Committees, Standards and Delegates. This database was first issued in 1994, and forms the principle management information tool for ISO/TC 67 to plan and coordinate the work. This paper describes the AG3 Database in some detail. The overall goal of the communication initiatives is to encourage the widest participation in lSO/TC 67 and the associated work. It is intended that duplication of work at regional, national and company level is avoided, and that the industry world-wide can agree a "single set of words" for adoption at all levels. Successful promotion of thissolution to practicing engineers will deliver benefits including whole life cost reduction and operations integrity; safety and environmental protection as well as equipment reliability.