Lloyds Register should be o.k. for them. I was involved in a equipment certification for Shell years ago (not for valves) and we used Lloyds which was accepted by Shell.
If your client is Shell, then TAT testing shall be performed by valve manufacturer as per SPE 77/300 and witnessed by a Shell representative (it is handled by Shell Global Solutions). It will usually entail additional cost and schedule impact.
One alternative is to buy valves from manufacturers with existing valid TAT certificates. TAT certificates are valid for 5 years after that valve needs to be re-certified again by Shell.
Carlo is right. Shell will witness testing for compliance to their standards. Nobody else can do it. Shell has the list of manufacturers they have approved.
Align with suggestion above, Yes, Shell Global Solution, Rijswijk is the custodian for Shell’s Europe and Africa region.
Want to add some comments that often being miss-interpreted by some new valve professionals:
1.Shell’s document related to TAT and TAMAP is highly confidential. Only Shell’s focal point and some top tier of their (Engineering) contractor that have access to these documents. Any illegal use or distribution to other parties (manufacturer, agencies, etc.) that may lead to unfair commercial practice may be followed by legal action by Shell.
2.TAT : Type Approval Testing
Mainly consist of two things:
*Audit of manufacturers’ facility and production process, valid up to 5 years. Refer to ISO, cleanliness requirement, etc.
*Each manufacturer (not representing global manufacturer’s flag) shall pass MESC testing requirement that they were willing to be enlisted. Shell has more than 20,000 Valve’s MESC depending on type, class, size, service, specification, design Pressure/temperature, etc. Valid for 3- 5 years for each MESC No. For commercial matters related to this test should contact Shell Global Solution
TAT related to MESC is a very stringent test witnessed by Shell’s rep and represent almost actual service condition. For example: valve will be cycled 1000 times at its lowest and highest design temperature simultaneously, than leak tested. Shall pass certain Fugitive Emission class criteria, and so on.
3.MESC : Mechanical Specification
Code of each valves used in Shell Global project (both Greenfield and Brownfield), based on Type, Class, size, material, special requirement, Inspection class, etc.
4.TAMAP: Technically Accepted Manufacturer Approved Product (list)
List that stipulate what manufacturer at what country has the approved rights of producing certain MESC Number Valve (after passing TAT for that MESC of course). Only Shell SME and its current agent (distributor) that has access to this
In this regards, if certain manufacturer has been TAT’ed, not necessarily that they have the rights to supply MESC Number that they are not entitled to (even-though they could produce such).
On almost daily basis, we often reject some valves from good (experienced and well known) manufacturer that has been TAT’ed but yet they are not entitled to produce such MESC Number. No waiver could be accepted.
Common mistake -->Some distributors think that same type, class, size and material of Floating Ball Valve might be used for H2S as well for Hydrogen Fluoride. However, it is a totally different two MESC Number.
Hopes this provide some insights.
MR
Shell Pernis’ Valve Engineer
