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STANDARD Organization of Nigeria (SON) has adopted ten America Petroleum Institute(API) Standards for the nation critically relevant to operations in the Oil and Gas industry to keep up with best international practices.
Director General/ Chief Executive SON, Osita Aboloma Esq. made this known during a joint Technical Committee (TC)meeting on Oil and Gas / Petroleum and Petro Chemicals convened in Lagos recently.
Speaking at the meeting, the Director General SON, represented by the Director Standards Development Mrs. Chinyere Egwuonwu revealed that all the standards are critically relevant to operations in the Oil and Gas industry, hence the need to adopt them in collaboration with the stakeholders as Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS).
The API Standards adopted and rechristened NIS are:
API RP 50 2013 Natural Gas Processing Plant Practices for Protection of the Environment
API RP 520; 2014 Sizing, selection and Installation of Pressure-relieving devices in Refineries Part 1 Sizing and selection
API RP 520 2: 2015, Sizing, Selection and Installation of Pressure- Relieving Devices in Refineries Part II Installation
API 553: 2012 Refinery Valves and Accessories for Control and Safety Instrumented Systems
API 554: 2007 Process Instrumentation and Control
API 12L: 2008 Specification for Vertical and Horizontal Emulsion Treaters
API 2000:2014 Venting Atmospheric and Low –Pressure Storage Tanks
API 12F:2008 Specifications for Shop-Welded Tanks for Storage of Production Liquids
API 12D: 2008 Specification for Field Welded Tanks for Storage of Production Liquids
API STD 610: 2011 Centrifugal Pumps for Petroleum Petrochemical and Natural Gas Industries.
According to him, adopting of international standards as national standard is not a new development, especially where the standards are elaborated by global leaders such as API who since 1919 have established a clout for convening subject matter experts in establishing, maintaining and distributing consensus standards for the oil and gas industry.
He further indicated that, “the API standards being adopted today are recognized not only for their technical specifications but also for their third party accreditation which facilitates acceptance by international bodies and has been a cornerstone in developing standards for the worldwide oil and natural gas industry.”
However, Aboloma cautioned that “in adopting international standards we must ensure that the standards are not in conflict with our statutory regulatory requirements and special consideration should be on or environmental factors, economic considerations, security of products, national interest and most of all global best practices.”
According to Aboloma, the nation’s oil industry does not exist in isolation therefore the standards adopted will ensure the availability of the NIS, enhancing market competiveness, prevention of dumping of goods, promoting export and a reliable basis for technological transfer and industrial development.
The Joint Chairmen of the TCs, on Oil and Gas/ Petroleum and Petrochemicals, Prof Joseph Ajienka of the University of Port-Harcourt and Prof Sunday Ojolo of University of Lagos sitting in for Prof Boniface Okorie of the UNN respectively, in their varying capacities spoke separately during the meeting.
They both appreciated the DG SON for giving them the opportunity to serve, while exhorting all the participants to carry out what was described as a call to national duty with zeal and ensuring their comments and contributions are vibrant and robust enough to achieve the purpose of the TC.
Mr Agboola Afolayan, Deputy Director Standards Development / Head Chemical-Tech moderated the proceedings of the day while Engr Oljuie Head Lagos 1 office / Group Head LPG Engr. Nwaoma Olujie was also on hand to support in driving the process which culminated in the adoption of the API standards.
Stakeholders represented from the oil sector include representatives of, Cakasa Nig Comp. Ltd., Peachlite Eng. Consulting Services, Winelight Analytical Systems, Lopa Energy Ltd. Addax Petroleum, Dorman Long Engineering, Mobil Producing Nigeria and agencies like Nigeria Society of Chemical Engineers, FIIRO, Nigeria Institute of Mechanical Engineering and the Nigerian Institute of Welders.
