MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON THE 16TH OF FEBRUARY 2000 AT THE MARRIOT HOTEL, GATESHEAD.
SYNOPSIS
1.0 WELCOME AND APOLOGIES
The members were welcomed to the meeting. Eight members were in attendance. The apologies were then given of those unable to attend
2.0 REVIEW MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING – Nov 17th, 1999
Most members have web link through the AWHEM web site. Only four members have not actioned this from the last meeting.
Safety Alerts for the AWHEM web site was discussed during the US/NS teleconference.
AWHEM flyers were discussed during the meeting. It is the Association’s intent to compose this flyer and it was concluded that a draft copy will be sent to the Chairman who will send the details to the US. This is to be done within the next two weeks.
Task Groups – Jackup Platform Well Conductor Survey and Repair and Manufacture were to be reported to the membership. This report will forward the draft reports to the Chairman for circulation.
The AWHEM North Sea committee document on Section 43 was submitted to the HSE in response to their invite to the industry for review on the future of the Section 43 guidance notes.
The document was submitted on the 20th of August 1999. The document was the resulting efforts of the members extraordinary meeting in July 1999.
3.0 MATTERS ARISING
Plaques have not been made up for most members and this issue has raised concern throughout the membership. This subject was brought up with the US group and they indicated the reason for the delay, was each member was to submit a company. As all but three of the members have submitted their company logos to the web site, it was suggested that the logos be drawn from there. The action is currently with the US group to provide the plaques.
AWHEM web site policy – Draft 2 and Appendix – were distributed to the attendees.
4.0CHAIRMAN’S CORRESPONDENCE
NACE MR 01-75 2000 revisions – negative votes from AWHEM companies were sent from the US for NS comment and backup. It appears that the standard has now been revised and the negative votes unregistered.
Note: Subsequent to the meeting, the US have issued letters sent to NACE under the name of the association and would like the NS group to do the same.
5.0TREASURER’S REPORT
“Omitted”
6.0 REVIEW OF US MINUTES
No minutes to the December 7th meeting were available. The review will have to take place during the next meeting on May 17th.
7.0 MINUTES OF MEETING
a)AWHEM website policy information was supplied at the meeting. A draft copy will be issued to all members for review. All comments to be returned within one week of issue, otherwise the draft will be returned to the US as is.
b)As a matter of interest, it was indicated that the operators in the North Sea are trying to reduce ‘as installed’ costs in the North Sea. The oil companies are looking at umbilicals, Wellheads and Trees, etc with the view to reducing costs and being more competitive worldwide.
c)During our meeting of November 17th, we reviewed the list from the US – ‘Proposals for Application of AWHEM Expertise’ and returned with a suggested short list of 4 items. One of which was headed up as ‘Common Service Practices for Wellhead Equipment, Emphasizing Health, Safety and Environment’. It was indicated that this was of some interest to the NS group, as it related to the then current Task Group on Competency. The US has asked that a task group be formed in the NS to tackle this issue. The members recognize the difficulties of this task and from the meeting, the following points were raised:
i)The competency issue is being raised, but is not part of this task. Competency will be raised as something each individual company will have to address.
ii)Outline a procedure for servicing generic equipment.
iii)A review of the scope of equipment to be examined would have to be looked at and identified.
iv)The report will not be too detailed.
v)A number of members wished to take part in this task group.
vi)All members are urged to review their own company’s requirements and return to the Chairman within two weeks to participate in this Task Group. A meeting will be held in four weeks to initiate this issue – March 20th.
d)US/NS Teleconference:
i)Machinery Directive was sent to the US, by post.
ii)Competence Document was suppose to be sent to the US
iii)Letter sent by AWHEM to NACE.
iv)NS members to review the letters sent concerning the NACE revisions. NS to be proactive in sending our own letters of concern. Attached to the MOM each member will find a copy of the letters sent by AWHEM to NACE.
v)Safety Alert Notices with the AWHEM web site was discussed. This is a hot issue with the potential for liability issues brought upon AWHEM.
vi)The issue of Common Services Practices for Wellhead Equipment, emphasizing health, safety and environment was discussed with the onus of initiating a task group put on the NS group. The US group will tackle Standard Fittings for Various Applications in Wellheads and Material Limits and Guidelines on HP/HT Applications.
vii)Reviewed web site policy
viii)Discussed the distribution flyer for OTC
ix)Minutes of the teleconference to be drawn up by AWHEM US and distributed.
x)Next teleconference will be held after the NS quarterly meeting on May 17th. The teleconference will commence at 3:30 pm. NS to revert to the US about venue of the teleconference.
UKOOA / IADC: There is a joint committee reviewing SI913 certification.
e)Suggested speakers for subsequent meetings:
i)Lloyd’s Register (LRS) for a speaker on ISO 9000.
ii)Also look to LRS to discuss Pressure Equipment Directive updates
iii)CE marking updates – LRS as well?
iv)Chairman to circulate to membership for future subjects
f)ISO 10423: Brief rundown on ISO’s version of API 6A.
g)Engineering Training: A point was raised on the formal training of engineers in the UK. It was suggested that all practising engineers are to be certified (C.Eng) and part of an Engineering Association within a particular time period (not certain). Note: Subsequent to the meeting: Contacted the ImechE for information pertaining to this subject and they are sending AWHEM an information pack. Current information relates to the Continued Professional Development scheme operated by the Institution. It is not mandatory, but strongly recommended. There is also a requirement for engineers wishing to become members to ‘show commitment’ to the CPD.
i)Chairman’s Visit to BVAMA:Although the visit to Birmingham was of interest to AWHEM, commonality of product is not. It is obvious that the members of BVAMA are devoted to the manufacturing industry and their knowledge of the oil industry is quite limited. However, their interface and direct involvement with the standards groups such as ISO is very intensive. They currently have 16 working groups involved in different standard creation and revision making. There is certainly some usefulness in monitoring this Association in terms of getting involved in ISO standards etc, as per the US group’s recommendations.
j)Deputy Chairman: Chairman is to contact Varco – John Granger – who is scheduled to be this year’s deputy chairman.
8.0AOB
Interchangeability of Swagelok / Parker fittings.
Meeting was adjourned until May 17th at 8:45am in Aberdeen. Venue will be advised.
.