The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) has given DNV the Global Pipeline Award 2009. This is the industry’s most prestigious global award and emphasizes the status of DNV’s pipeline standard.
Asle Venås, who accepted the award on behalf of DNV, expressed gratitude for the work carried out by DNV colleagues over several decades and the global pipeline industry’s participation.
“The standard and its associated Recommended Practices are the result of a tremendous worldwide pipeline industry effort. The basis has been formed through a large number of projects and Joint Industry Projects, in addition to other research and development results made available to DNV. So thanks to all those that have contributed in this way,” he stated to the jury and audience at the Rio Pipeline Exhibition where the award was handed over.
“DNV’s offshore pipeline standard was the first to be launched as far back as in 1976. Since then it has been developed gradually and is now the world’s most used standard for offshore pipeline installations. It is used as a basis for 70% of offshore pipelines, and I am proud of the effect it has on the development of cost-efficient and safe oil and gas transportation,” says Venås, who is DNV’s offshore pipeline segment director.
The history of the pipeline standard
DNV issued its first “DNV Submarine Pipeline Rules”, the first code specifically for offshore use, back in 1976. This was updated in 1981 and has been adopted worldwide.
In 1996, a third revision was issued. This was a completely re-written code, adopting the more modern and generally applicable limit-state-based design with calibrated safety factors instead of the old stress-based design. The 1996 version was mainly based on the Design Guideline from the large Joint Industry Project called SUPERB executed from 1993-1996 by Snamprogetti, SINTEF and DNV with particiapation from the oil and gas majors.
In 1999, DNV changed the structure of its offshore-related documents from Rules to Offshore Service Specifications, Offshore Standards and Recommended Practices. An Offshore Standard only states technical requirements and makes no references to DNV services, etc, as the old Rules did. DNV-OS-F101, in its second revision of the limit-state-based format, was one of the first Rules to be converted to this Offshore Standard format.
The last release, in 2007, was ISO harmonised and had an increased focus on integrity management and improved document structure.
About ASME
Founded in 1880 as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME is a not-for-profit professional organisation that enables collaboration, knowledge sharing and skill development across all engineering disciplines, while promoting the vital role of the engineer in society. ASME codes and standards, publications, conferences, continuing education and professional development programs provide a foundation for advancing technical knowledge and a safer world.
Criteria for the ASME Global Pipeline Award (GPA)
The GPA recognises the pipeline technology innovation process in all phases; from the research laboratory through field applications; from technology incubators to the development of markets for new products; from government agencies to private companies; and from individual projects to the consolidation of research and development results.
The Award promotes progress and international cooperation in the field of pipeline systems engineering; supports achievements in pipeline engineering education; encourages the timely exchange of information among researchers and engineers; promotes technical activities, including conferences, in the field of pipeline technology; promotes safety and public welfare; promotes global environment preservation; and promotes public recognition of the pipeline industry.