API Q2 Specification - QMS (Oil & Gas Industry Aftermarket)

Del Foster said:

I managed to meet briefly this week with a key indivdual at API to learn more about Q2 as well as what may be going on with EPA and their concerns about frac water chemicals and the practice of storing the back water in ponds rather than in containers, etc. I am a consultant and ISO 9001 lead auditor trying to help a client with new technology designed to treat frac water and eliminate those problems obtain Q2 registration. I too am interested in more discussion and planning for Q2. Count me in. Del Foster

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I found and printed a copy of draft 16 of Q2 and noticed quite a few changes and differences between Q2 and Q1, most notably the requirement for 23 documented procedures, the absense of "control feature" and the focus on risk management, change management, and the call for a service quality plan. Any thoughts or ideas for a quality manual to meet Q2 certification by anyone?

There are significant changes between Q1 and Q2 as Q1 currently stands. I recommend that you obtain a current copy of Q2, December 2011 edition since further changes were made as part of API's balloting process prior to publishing.
With regards to Q1: it is currently under a revision process and will be brought into line with the format and content of Q2 sometime this year. The obvious and major difference being Q1 is for manufacturing and Q2 is for service.
With regards to documenting a quality manual to Q2: (1) I recommend purchasing the current copy of Q2 so that the manual will be accurate. (2) be ready for possible changes to Q2; the industry is weighing in on the Q2 implementation practices.
The bottom line: it will be prudent to document a quality manual to Q2, but do so with the understanding that additional changes (most likely not substantive) may occur.

We're a new startup in Oil & Gas manufacturing. We're working on getting our API 4F status now, but were told by our consulting group that we have to comply to Q1 status in order to be 4F certified. If we have to be Q1 compliant anyway, we might as well be Q1 certified. The consultant also stated that we'd better hurry with the Q1 as when Q2 goes into effect, the ability to apply strictly for Q1 goes away. If your company already has Q1 then the company would be grandfathered in and not have to jump to Q2. However, based on my research, given that we're a manufacturing company and do no servicing, we would only be bound to Q1 standards.

Am I understanding this correctly? If so, then I have to wonder as to the motives behind the consultant's recommendations...

With regards to your API Spec. 4F needs. API Spec. 4F falls under API’s Monogram Program License Agreement. The API audit for Spec. 4F will also include conformity to API Spec. Q1 as part of the licensing process.
However, if you want to have a Spec. Q1 audit as an independent method of demonstating a certification of your management system, the API can also include that as part of their audit scope. No additional time will be required, but there are some nuances:
· An API License to 4F is just that; it is a license. While the audit includes API Spec. Q1 you will receive only the license if you successfully pass the audit.
o The renewal period for your license is 3 years.
· On API’s Application Form, you can choose to have a Management System Certification to:
o API Spec. Q1
o ISO 9001
o TS 29001
o OR, all three
· If you need an independent statement or your QMS conformity / a management system certification, then the conformity assessment rules apply. You will be audited every year.
For more information, the API identifies the pricing scheme in their application process.
With regards to Q1 and Q2:
· Q1 is for manufacturing and is a necessary part of the Monogram Program (e.g., 4F) licensing process. While Q1 is currently in the revision process, there is no intent to replace it with Q2.
· Q2 is for service related activities (e.g., associated with the well site).
Both of these standards will be controlled as separate programs under API’s auspices.
The requirements of these programs are complex; it may be a simple case of not understanding all the nuances and end use of the products / services.
At any rate, you may want to have an independent pre-assessment prior to going for your API audit.

The Mutha said:

We're a new startup in Oil & Gas manufacturing. We're working on getting our API 4F status now, but were told by our consulting group that we have to comply to Q1 status in order to be 4F certified. If we have to be Q1 compliant anyway, we might as well be Q1 certified. The consultant also stated that we'd better hurry with the Q1 as when Q2 goes into effect, the ability to apply strictly for Q1 goes away. If your company already has Q1 then the company would be grandfathered in and not have to jump to Q2. However, based on my research, given that we're a manufacturing company and do no servicing, we would only be bound to Q1 standards.

Am I understanding this correctly? If so, then I have to wonder as to the motives behind the consultant's recommendations...

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Some additional info to share...
-If you are applying for solely API 4F Monogram license, you will be subject to audit once every 3 years. Compliance to API Spec Q1 is a requirement, however you are not required to go for the registration.
-If you choose to apply for both API 4F Monogram license plus the API Spec Q1 registration, you will be subject to annual audits. Along with the Spec Q1 registration, you can opt to be certified to both ISO/TS 29001 and ISO 9001 at the same time without additional cost since Spec Q1 covers all requirements of the above 2 standards.

cheers....

Thanks ahhock; that is correct.

Thanks for all of your attendance.

I think Stacey Hagen from Exxon gave a presentation on API Spec Q2 recently during the API pipelines conference. The presentation materials are available on API website. API website - Events & Training - Proceedings - Pipeline Proceedings .

The latest information I have from API is that the Q2 final revision has been released and that the API QR will begin taking Q2 registration applications January 1, 2013. Del Foster

Yes, the specification has already been released and is available for purchase at IHS and Techstreet websites. I guess registration requirements and packages will also be announced by API later this year.