API: Spec Q2 Certification Now Available for Drilling Service Providers

The world’s most advanced industry certification standard for oil and natural gas service providers, API Specification Q2, is being fully implemented, and API has already received more than 50 applications for certification from facilities around the globe.

“Any drilling service provider who is in compliance with the requirements can now receive API Spec Q2 certification,” said John Modine, API’s vice president of Global Industry Services. “The trial period of beta audits is complete, the auditors are ready to go, and many facilities are already getting certified.”

API Spec Q2 is the first ever quality management system (QMS) certification for service supply organizations in the oil and natural gas industry. Its approach to industry improvement is similar to that of API Spec Q1, which certifies oil and gas equipment manufacturers for the safety, consistency and interchangeability of their products.

Development of Spec Q2 began in early 2010 to reduce risk and improve service quality by identifying and standardizing the expectations for execution of upstream services like well construction, intervention, production and abandonment. API accelerated its work following the Macondo incident, and the standard was officially unveiled in December 2011.

After a two year beta testing and compliance achievement period, API began offering Q2 certification to facilities in late 2013. To receive certification, applicants must have robust procedures in place to ensure personnel competency, risk assessment, contingency planning, and dozens of other key QMS elements.

At the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston today, API will recognize Halliburton for its strong support of Spec Q2 by helping develop the standard, participating in beta-audits, and being the first to apply for certification of multiple facilities worldwide. Halliburton Chief Operating Officer Jeff Miller will attend to accept the honor.

The greatest number of applications for Q2 certification has so far been received from facilities in the U.S., Southeast Asia and the Middle East, with more expected from Russia, Australia and Brazil later this summer.

API represents all segments of America’s oil and natural gas industry. Its more than 600 members produce, process, and distribute most of the nation’s energy. The industry also supports 9.8 million U.S. jobs and 8 percent of the U.S. economy.