NDT Global has received the DNV GL quality system certification for its first run success rate and on-time reporting figures management (photo: NDT Global)

NDT Global, supplier of ultrasonic pipeline inspection and data analysis services, has received the DNV GL quality system certification for its first run success rate and on-time reporting figures management. NDT Global is the first and only supplier of pipeline inspection and data analysis services, to have its first run success rate and on-time reporting key performance indicators (KPI) independently verified.

The importance of first run success and report timeliness to a pipeline integrity management program cannot be overstated. It is imperative that pipeline operators have confidence that they will obtain the accurate data needed to mitigate risks to their assets in a predictable manner. With that in mind, operators look to KPIs such as first run success rate and on-time reporting as indicators of a company’s ability to perform as part of their integrity program.

“Data transparency helps the industry to plan their integrity programs based on accurate performance data and enables organisations to advance the safety and sustainability of their business,” says Holger Bender, Sales and Project Manager Product Certification for DNV GL.

DNV GL has verified NDT Global’s on-time reporting and first run success rates for 2014, 2015 and 2016, the results of which are now available in a fully transparent manner on NDT Global’s website.

The inline inspection (ILI) first run success rate is a KPI used to measure overall ILI operational performance. An ultrasonic first run success rate such as NDT Global’s 91% provides a baseline confidence in the operational execution of ultrasonic inspections. The importance of a high ILI first run success rate from an operator’s perspective is that it significantly reduces the operational risks of delays in obtaining the integrity data needed.

The 98% figure achieved by NDT Global for its on-time reporting underlines its commitment to delivering the best information to operators, on-time, every time, enhancing the efficiency of the integrity management program. Delivering reports predictably against agreed timelines, enables operators to manage internal timelines with confidence and deliver data to regulators as needed.

Using appropriate methods, DNV GL independently assessed NDT Global’s KPI values for compliance with the requirements of its specifications.

The assessment conducted by DNV GL included:

• Validation of historic data provided by NDT Global through a spot-checking, with a minimum control rate of 15%.
• Assessment of KPI determination processes applied by NDT Global on actual data.
• Independent determination of KPI values based on provided historic data.

Tags: DNV GL, NDT Global