API 6A

[FERF]

thread809-491889
Dear friends, can we change parts and maintain API 6A valves and wellheads without having API certification? Are we required to have any API certification? Our client is asking us for API 6A to do this work. Our staff has many years of experience in this work, changing new spare parts, and no client has ever requested this type of certification from us. Where can I look for this information to use as a justification for not having this certification? I understand that a manufacturer is obliged, but we are a repair and maintenance service company, are we required to have certification to carry out our work?

 

[jmec87]

API 6A is for the manufacture of new equipment and, as described in its scope (section 1), it is not applicable to repair.

If you are not a manufacturer then you will not be able to get API 6A certification. It is not reasonable for a client to request that you have API 6A certification if you are not a manufacturer.

However, as I stated in the other post you linked, you could get API Q1 registration.

API Q1 is likely the most suitable for you. You can include "Inspection, maintenance, and repair of wellhead and tree equipment" in your registration scope. You might be able to include "per API 6AR" in your scope as well - API allows this for some specs where they don't have a separate monogram license available.

 

[FERF]

Muchas gracias jmec87; por favor si tuviera que describir EL ALCANCE DEL SERVICIO de mantenimiento y reparación sólo; ¿Qué debería escribir en mi oferta técnica? porque tampoco tengo API Q1; sé que la re manufactura no es posible o sea rectificaciones en caliente como soldadura por ejemplo. Por otro lado si deseo hacer reparaciones en campo a las cabezas de pozo, lógicamente cambio de válvulas, niples, tapones, bridas compañeras, reemplazo de graseras e inyectores de empaque en válvulas, qué norma se usa algún API?...la última versión API 6A cuál es? pido disculpas por lo extenso y agradezco mucho tus conocimientos.

 

[jmec87]

API 6AR 2nd Edition is the current standard for repair and remanufacture of API 6A equipment.

https://www.apiwebstore.org/standards/6AR

 

[FERF]

Dear jmec87; I am very grateful for your support, best regards.

 

[FERF]

Estimado jmec87; ¿existe la certificación API 6AR o sólo son prácticas recomendadas?; ¿o sea; se puede estar certificado por el API en API 6AR o sólo basta con cumplir sus procedimientos?

 

[FERF]

Dear jmec87; Does API 6AR certification exist or are they only recommended practices? I mean; Can you be certified by the API in API 6AR or is it enough to just comply with its procedures?

 

[jmec87]

You can not get a certification for API 6AR, but you can get API Q1 registration and include "Repair and Remanufacture of Wellhead and Tree Equipment in accordance with API 6AR" in your Q1 registration scope. It appears that only a few companies do this. Whether you are required to do this or not depends on your customer's requirements.

Anybody is allowed to comply with API standards regardless of whether they are registered.

 

[FERF]

Dear jmec87; Thank you very much, it is clear to me that you are a very knowledgeable person; Are the requirements to obtain Q1 registration many? it is very expensive?
I have another question: what API is needed for maintenance and repair of wellheads in the field?
I am very grateful for your help, it honestly helps me a lot.
Best regards

Note: I am Peruvian; Which institution do you recommend to prepare my company to apply for Q1?

 

[jmec87]

The main requirements to obtain Q1 registration are:
1. Implement a quality management system that meets the requirements of API Q1 and operate for at least 4 months.
2. Complete an internal audit and management review per API Q1.
3. Apply to API for a Q1 license and pay the application fee and initial audit fees and expenses.
4. Be audited by API - this will probably include separate stage 1 and stage 2 audits.
5. Resolve any nonconformities.

Current expenses are $3500 USD application fee and $3500 USD annual fee. Audit fees and expenses will probably be an additional few thousand dollars per year. The effort/cost to create, implement, and maintain the quality management system will likely be more significant than the fees you pay to API.

For more details, see the below website. API would also be happy to talk to you about the process and requirements. They have some Spanish-speaking staff that might be able to assist you.

https://www.api.org/products-and-services/api-monogram-and-apiqr/become-registered

I don't think there is an API standard that is applicable to maintenance and repair of wellheads in the field. It is possible that API Q2 would be a better fit for your scope than Q1 - I would recommend talking to API about this before starting to implement either one. The registration process and expenses would be the same as for Q1.

 

[FERF]

I am very glad to have found help from someone who is really very knowledgeable about this topic.
I am very grateful to you friend jmec87.