DNV GL has been awarded a three years contract, and two one year extension options, involving operations and project verification for all Apache’s North Sea assets; Beryl A & B and Forties A, B, C, D & E.

DNV GL has had a long history on the Beryl Alpha and Bravo installations, which have been operated by Apache since January 2012, delivering both the Safety Case and the former Certificate of Fitness regimes.

With the new contract in place, DNV GL offers a range of verification services to Apache, including risk-based verification (RBV) with the ultimate aim to ensure that field developments are designed, constructed and installed in accordance with project objectives. RBV is a structured, systematic process using risk and cost-benefit analysis to strike a balance both between technical and operational issues and between safety and cost. This provides the ability to focus the verification effort where the contribution is most cost-effective and provides the required assurance towards stakeholders and regulatory authorities that projects are implemented right the first time.

Mark Richardson, Projects Group Manager with Apache North Sea said: “Safety, compliance and production in that order, are the priorities for the delivery of operations and projects in Apache North Sea. Having the right verification body to work with is key to making our activities a success, and we look forward to working with DNV GL”.

Jack Downie, DNV GL’s Head of Department for Offshore Services adds: “We are pleased to have won this contract, Apache was identified as a regional key target for DNV GL and we spent a great deal of time and effort listening to their needs and challenges in asset integrity and verification. We have now a strong team in place with a clearly set direction, largely based on Apache’s input, which will ensure we can deliver and exceed expectations on this major contract”.