The ISO 20815 certificate has been developed under the title “Production Assurance and Reliability Management” for the oil, gas and petrochemical industries. Production assurance management is used for optimal audit of facilities while considering health, safety, environmental and quality constraints.
This standard recommends that the processes and activities listed be initiated only if they can be considered value-added.
ISO 20815 life cycle
ISO 20815:2018 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 67 (Marine materials, equipment and structures). The 2018 version of this standard was technically revised and replaced the first version (ISO 20815:2008). The main changes compared to the previous version are as follows:
- Section 3: Some new terms, definitions and abbreviations
- Clause 4: New 4.1 and new Figure 2
- Appendices A, B, C and E: minor changes
- Appendix D: New text and figures
- Appendix F: new text in paragraph 3, new paragraph F.4 and new figure
- Appendix G and H: Some changes in paragraphs 2, G.3, H.1 and H.2
- Appendix I: various changes in paragraphs 7 to I.10, I.18 to I.22 and new paragraphs I.23 to I.26
Getting to know ISO 20815
Oil, gas and petrochemical industries involve large investment costs and operating costs. The profitability of these industries depends on the reliability, availability, maintainability of the systems and components used; Therefore, for optimal production availability in the oil and gas business, a standardized and integrated reliability approach is required.
The concept of production assurance introduced in ISO 20815 enables a common understanding regarding the use of reliability technology at different stages of the life cycle; It also covers the activities implemented to achieve and maintain a performance level that is generally optimal and in accordance with regulatory conditions and applicable framework.
The purpose of the ISO 20815 standard
The purpose of obtaining ISO 20815 is different for different collections; But it is usually done to achieve cost-effective processes during the life cycle of a project. This certificate can help you in the following cases:
- Planning and implementing the latest technologies in a reliable way
- Using reliable and maintainable data
- Development of technologies used in the collection
- Designing and improving operational systems based on reliable data
Special standards for the oil, gas and petrochemical industry
In addition to ISO 20815, industries related to oil, gas and petrochemicals can also obtain other standards.
Scope of application of ISO 20815
ISO 20815 describes the concept of production assurance in systems and operations related to exploratory drilling, exploitation, processing, transportation of petroleum, petrochemical and natural gas resources. This standard includes upstream (including submarine), intermediate and downstream facilities, petrochemical and related activities.
This document provides processes and activities, requirements and guidelines for systematic management, effective planning, use of technology to ensure production and reliability. These requirements are to achieve cost-effective solutions throughout the life cycle of an asset development project.
Overview
ISO 20815 defines 12 processes, of which 7 processes are defined and addressed as main production assurance processes. The remaining five processes are characterized as cross-processes and are outside the scope of this document. However, the interaction of the main production assurance processes with these cross-processes is within the scope of this certification; Because the flow of information from recent processes is needed to ensure that production assurance requirements are met.
The only requirement of this document is the establishment and implementation of a production assurance program (PAP). It is important that the PAP is reflected in the overall management of the project to which it applies.
Conclusion
ISO 20815 certification includes the requirements of various business categories and related systems or equipment in the oil and gas value chain. Production assurance covers not only hydrocarbon production, but also related activities such as drilling, pipeline installation and subsea intervention.
In general, the IEC 60300-3 series of standards examines the reliability and maintenance performance of equipment, and ISO 20815 certification also emphasizes this factor.