Offshore industry certifications: get to know the main ones

The development of the offshore industry over the years has always strived for operational efficiency, compliance with good practices and constant search for safety and sustainability.

You can also listen to this article in the audio version.

And that is why there are several certifications available in the sector: to make sure all involved parties work as best as they can within a greater context, seeking safe exploration and trade in the Oil and Gas sector.

What about knowing more about those certificates and how they affect the offshore work routine? We invited Fabiana Mendonça, QHSE Coordinator of at Wilson Sons Ultra Tug Offshore, to talk more about the matter. Check it out!

The importance of certifications for the offshore industry

The offshore operation is one of the most particular in the international maritime market. Unlike chartering, there is no direct contact with shore while operational – offshore support bases make this bridge by sea.

It means that an oil rig, for example, needs to be self-sufficient (even if just temporary) when it comes to aspects such as use of resources, maintenance of equipment, operational monitoring and safety at work compliance.

Those are unique characteristics for the modality that, for being unique, demand specific certifications from the companies.

Fabiana tells us that the “offshore industry have certifications that ensure safety to operations, stability, as well as sustainability, credibility and competitiveness for companies of the sector, as well as of other economy sectors”.

Still according to her, aligning operations to achieve such recognition and making sure they are present is a way to show that companies are committed to and meet local and foreign standards applicable to their business.

In other words, certifications are a guarantee for the efficient and safe operation of the offshore industry. For a routine involving so many parties (platform, onshore base, transportation of inputs and of extracted products etc.) the search for these certifications means the development and sustainable growth of the sector.

Certifications required by this market

Within the control of certificates of the operations of the offshore industry, there are dozens of different determinations in importance, scale and periodicity. Standards range from compliance with documentation and protection of ships up to the shelf-life of emergency Walkie-Talkie batteries.

The idea behind such forms is to monitor and ensure that even operational details are always in accordance with what is considered efficient and safe by the industry.

Of course, there are the major certifications, those encompassing several resolutions and adjustments within the seal of approval of the competent agencies, which also determine the participation of those companies in the market.

For you to know more about the main ones, with and without participation from shipping agencies, we sought the help of an expert before coming up with this list of certificates considered vital in the market. Check them out below.

CRC Petrobras

Petrobras’ Register Certificate is perhaps the most important document for those willing to join the Oil and Gas exploration chain in the Brazilian coast. After all, without the consent of the company, it is not possible to supply goods and/or services to it in the offshore operation segment.

This register is done by companies that already made any offer of service or product from Petrobras’ list of interest. It is also made by organizations undergoing documental and presential assessments attesting the capacity of the business in meeting offshore rigs with high efficiency and performance.

The certificate does not count on the participation of the maritime agency, but is highly important for the support market, considering it is a condition to joint bidding processes in the sector.

ONIP Register

When the company wishes to join gas and oil exploration operations, another important certificated is the business register with ONIP, National Organization of the Petroleum Industry.

To be part of this register, just as the CRC, it is necessary to have goods or services falling under offshore support demands (strategically or operationally). This certification, albeit Brazilian, may be also requested by international companies.

DUNS Register

Talking about international relationships, a Brazilian company may also join the O&G sector in other countries by means of the DUNS Register, created by the company Dun & Bradstreet and accepted worldwide.

The business with a DUNST Number is registered to be found and hired for offshore operations in almost all countries. Among the users of the certifications we can mention the EU, UN, independent governments and multinational companies.

RINA Brasil

Another interesting national certification was the one created by RINA Brasil. Among its services we can list audit and certification for offshore operations, such as movement, transportation and installation of big-sized structures.

In this case, the certificate is intended to the direct handling of platforms and vessels, and is important for those offering raw material and services related to this operation. Even though it is not a certification with which Wilson Sons works, it is still attractive for those seeking more credibility in this sector.

ISO 9001

ISO 9001 is a certification with which Wilson Sons works closely, the company itself has it. It is a series of normative determinations with conference performed by Lloyd’s Register. If met, they ensure efficiency and safety in operations of major players.

“Certification ISO 9001 — Quality Management System is not required by law for our activities”, explains Fabiana. “But the company considers and believes it is a differential, contributing to a higher level of competitiveness and credibility in bidding processes”, she complements.

ISO 14001

Another equally important ISO standard for the offshore industry is 14001, which is related to environmental management. After all, the development of the Oil and Gas exploration is focusing on sustainability and efficiency in protecting the environment. Having this certificate says a lot about the disposition of a business in the sector to innovate or reinvent itself.

The role of the maritime agency in offshore operations

Most of the certifications we presented here have no participation whatsoever of the maritime agency in the offshore market, but that does not mean that having a partnership in the sector makes no difference in those particularities.

The truth is that intelligence of data and expertise in the area allows a company such as Wilson Sons to determine which certifications are the most relevant for its business. And, if it is on the other side of the chain, it would be interesting to choose operational partners that worry about such determinations.

As said by Fabiana, the search for certifications is part of our very routine. In addition to ISO 9001, which we mentioned already, “this year (2021), WSUT is going to implement ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System) and ISO 45001 (Occupational Safety and Health Management System), which are not required by any laws”.

Despite the fact those certificates are imposed for participation in the offshore industry, to seek them means to show the market the business strives for efficiency and optimization. It is the type of competitive advantage that makes a huge difference when the time has come to negotiate.So, do you want to be a part of this success? Visit the website of Wilson Sons and contact one of our experts!