ISO/TC 67/SC 4/WG 3 Report

Period May 2009—May 2010

Report of ISO/TC 67/SC 4/WG 3

on the status of all work items and action to be taken

1.WG title:Wellhead and Christmas Tree equipment

2.WG scope:Standardization of Wellhead and Christmas tree equipment used in the petroleum and natural gas industries

  1. WG Convenor: Ries Langereis (The Netherlands) was confirmed as convenor at the ISO/TC67/SC4 meeting in 2002 (Resolution 11, 2002).

Tel. +31 06 53493667 Fax: discontinued

E-mail:

4.WG Secretary: Alfred Kruijer

Tel nr. 31 70- 3772364

e-mail

5. Work programme (may be attached as annex to report):

1. To work on and prepare for the fourth edition of ISO 10423, planned for end 2010.

D.I.S was issued early 2008.

2.To liaise with API SC 6 and work towards a consensus on the differences between the current 19th edition of API 6A and the current 3rd edition of ISO 10423 and to resolve post ballot comments of the API 6A document

3. To liaise with AWHEM to resolve their comments and contributions to the latest revision of ISO 10423.

A new work item proposal for the revision of ISO 10423:2003 was accepted after ballot in September 2005.

Since September 2006 an active workgroup was formed with a balanced participation from major Operators as well as Suppliers.

Through 2009 and 2010 various formal and informal meetings were held with various key staff and members of API SC 6 , AWHEM and ISO workgroup members to prepare for the fourth edition of ISO 10423.

The latest revision of NACE MR 0175/ISO 15156:2004 was published after ISO 10423:2003, but before the API 6A adopt-back. In the API 6A adopt-back process, the new NACE document has been implemented. NACE MR 0175/ISO 15156:2004 has resulted in different materials classes at certain places and thus with respect to materials classes we have considered ISO 10423-version 3 in urgent need of revision.

Other areas where the current ISO 10423 :2003 vs. 3 differs from the newly published API Spec-6a 19th edition:

-Annex N adds API monogram programme . There exists no ISO equivalent.

-API annex O adds “regional changes”:

-API has deleted all references towards a repair and remanufacture clause of any description. It should be possible to introduce such a –differently worded-clause to be valid for at least the highest quality product specification levels say PSL-2 and higher. This with the objective to have such clause adopted into API 6A 20th edition

In order to ensure a congruent approach between ISO and API,a new workgroup had been initiated by API to work on an acceptably-worded- worldwide clause for repairs.

This workgroup is chaired by G.Devlin of Cameron with active support of Sterling Lewis of Exxon.

Active participation by ISO Wg 3 took place during the period under review.

Eventually a consensus-compromise was reached and the ISO 10423 FDIS will contain the latest version of this compromise.

Basically the term O.E.M-original equipment manufacturer - has been exchanged for the term O.P.D-Original Product Definition. This latter term is deemed to be in line with USA legal requirements on potential restrictions of trade.

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-Consequence of latest version of NACE MR 0175/ISO 15156:2004 (see below)

In line with past versions of API Spec 6A, the current 19th edition of API 6A allows castings for PSL 3, 3G and 4, whereas ISO 10423:2003 requires forgings for these applications.

Following the API Sc 6 meeting during June 2009 in Denver a –joint API/ISO workgroup has been initiated ,chaired by ISO Maarten Kuipers, on the castings versus forgings issue.

Whatever outcome of this workgroup it is not planned to be used in the next version 4 of ISO 10423,as it can be expected that this particular issue will create considerable discussions and would thus delay the issue of the 4th version of ISO 10423.

There is also a strong preference from a number of major oil companies notably Shell,B.P. and Statoil to keep the situation regarding forgings and castings as it is currently worded in vs. 3 of I.S.O 10423.

6.Proposed plan ahead for ISO 10423

a) To receive all comments on the draft 4th version during 2009, discuss these and where relevant include in the FDIS.

The convener proposes to keep ISO 10423:2003 (third edition) as the industry standard for the next year, until the new standard has been issued.

b) ISO/TC67/SC4/WG3 to issue the ISO 10423 –vs.4 by end 2009.

c) The new work item proposal has a number of objectives the main ones being:

-to ascertain which technical areas of the new version can be brought in line with the latest version of API Spec -6A 19th edition.

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-If possible, simplify the standard for the common user

-Any specific MMS requirement (not applicable for international application) should appear in the API Spec 6 A regional annex.

d) ISO/TC67/SC4/WG3 will continue to resolve any other proposed changes from any source to improve the standard.

e) To maintain close links with API subcommittee 6, to facilitate alignment of ISO 10423 and API Spec 6A.

f) To keep CEN/TC12 appraised of the situation.(to ensure parallel working in CEN )

This has been done during the annual TC 67 meeting in Denver in may 2009.

7. Specific areas of concern or progress:

1)The current industrial situation is very fluent as well as tight and as a result companies are restructuring and knowledgeable engineers needed for this WG 3 are in high demand elsewhere.

2)Nevertheless a work group of sufficient technical competence has been formed and is active, including participation from the USA.

3) A project group that needs to investigate the castings versus forging issue has been formed and is now chaired by Maarten Kuipers from Mokveld with active participation of: Scott Higgins-BP, Hugh Parker and Alfred Kruyer from Shell , and Eric Wehner-again-as independent Consultant.

The previous conclusion of the project group is that forgings continue to be a superior product over castings and that there is no reason to change ISO 10423 from its original version.

The main findings of this project group will be presented at the general annual API Sc6 meeting in Washington 2010. It there needs further discussion and elucidationpossibly accepted and approved.

3) A list of errata and other common changes has been made and coordinated through API and AWHEMS .This list is used to prepare for the FDIS and is coordinated through Shell Global Solutions in the Hague, the Netherlands and Austin Freeman of Halliburton.

3)A project group coordinating the ramifications of new NACE MR0175/ISO 15156:2004 and later versions for the update of ISO 10423 had been formed under the active guidance of Thierry Cassagne. The ISO 15156 Maintenance Panel is represented through Derrek Milliams.The main conclusion has been that ISO can straightforwardly use the wordings from API 6 a-19th edition in the new ISO 10423vs 4.version.This has been done.

5) Repair and remanufacture is another major area of difference between ISO and API since API 6A no longer carries this subject in the current standard.

A new work item has been initiated within API SC 6 to propose a repair and remanufacture clause suitable form use in the USA and has come to the conclusion that such clause is a necessity. The outcomeis that ISO WG 3 has redrafted its existing repair clause using the API proposed terminology to ensure an industry common approach with respect to repair and remanufacture .The OPD -original product definition –wording has thus consequently been introduced.

This is deemed necessary by API to avoid legal issues in the USA as explained above.

Unity in standards has thus been assured as ISO has adopted this API proposed clause.

8.Specific action items for ISO/TC 67/SC 4:

1.There has been a renewed effort from the API SC 6 chair to continue working on the common issue of one standard. It is presumed this is fully supported by the TC 67 management.

2.To follow the current workgroup within API 6 A regarding castings and forgings with the objective to ensure a common standard within API and ISO.

9.Meetings –including informal, no m.o.m. -since last report:

Past meetings

Date of meeting / Location
24th June 2009 / A.P.I week Denver
8th. September 2009 / Shell Global Solutions The Hague the Netherlands
25th November 2009 / Cameron London UK.
9thFebruary 2010 / A.P.I. SC 6A Houston Texas USA

Future meetings

Date of meeting / Location
30th June 2010 / API week, Washington DC USA
September /October 2010 / Cameron The Hague the Netherlands ?

10. Optional annex: WG document register: N.A.

11. Summary list of TC67/SC4/WG3 experts (and others).

David Stewart Shell Rijswijk –Manager Well services

Gordon Graham Shell Rijswijk Global Wells HSE manager

Scott Higgins BP Aberdeen-Senior project Engineer

Ries Langereis Cameron Celle /The Hague; Industrial Liaison

Maarten Kuipers VP QC Mokveld Gouda Holland

Austin Freeman Halliburton Dallas Texas

Alfred Kruijer Shell The Hague Global Solutions expert

Hugh Parker Shell Aberdeen Equipment specialist

John McAuley G.E. Vetco Aberdeen

Richard Preston FMC Aberdeen

Thierry Cassagne Total France

Dag Ketil Fredhem Hydro Norway

Eric Wehner Cameron Houston

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