Verification is a standard practice within the international oil & gas business and serves to assure owners and other interested parties that a particular installation that it is fit for purpose during its working life.

IDENTIFICATION OF SAFETY CRITICAL ELEMENTS (SCE)

During the design and engineering stages, SCEs are identified and compiled by the designer. They are gathered together in groups under such headings as:

• Inherent Safety: Elimination and minimisation of hazards by design
• Prevention and Detection: Reduction of likelihood of occurrence of accidents
• Control: Limitation of scale, intensity and duration of accidents
• Mitigation: Protection from adverse effects
• Emergency Response: Facilitation of escape, evacuation and rescue

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DEFINITION OF PERFORMANCE STANDARDS (PS)

Performance Standards for safety critical events (SCE) are used to ensure that effectiveness and suitability of an SCE can be measured and assessed.

Generally, such standards refer to applicable international codes and standards, however, additional project-specific parameters may need to be added concerning a particular event, and its availability, reliability and survivability under emergency conditions.

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WRITTEN SCHEME OF EXAMINATION (WSE)

The Written Scheme of Examination is a planning document outlining the various activities to ensure that performance standards are met and maintained.

This includes review activities of documents during the design and engineering stage any necessary inspection activities during construction, installation and commissioning. The scheme also includes diary planning inspections, maintenance and repair activities outlined together with acceptance criteria.

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DETAILED WORK INSTRUCTIONS

The first stage in the each process is for the WSE to be outlined, and accompanied by a Detailed Work Instruction detailing: the scope of the respective verification activities including calculation checks.

Further inspection and test activities during fabrication and commissioning would be outlined in detail, addressing methodologies, tools and acceptance criteria.

Finally, all regular inspection, maintenance and repair activities during the regular operation of the plant would be described, outlining methods, tools and acceptance criteria and timings.

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REPORTING AND RECORDS

Detailed Work Instructions are used for the initial recording of completed activities and for tracking of ongoing work.

Verification Reports provide status overview of ongoing activities underway to ensure all works completed prior to closeout

Documents

Paperwork containing traceable evidence of verification activities are archived and held by the owner/license holder for future cross-checking.

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RESPONSIBILITY AND QUALIFICATION OF THE INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION BODY (IVB)

While an owner/operator/license holder remains responsible for managing risks adequately, it is important that independent checks are undertaken by a qualified IVB. Noble Offshore engineers fulfil these needs by assigning multi-discipline teams of senior staff to such projects.