Technology Qualification

New technology can either make a project possible or enhance its value. In either case the operator needs to feel confident that the technology will perform as intended, reliably and within specified limits. The technology developer needs to build up the operator’s confidence in the technology, as the operator bears the burden of convincing other stakeholders in the project to implement the new technology. DNV helps technology developers build this confidence by performing a systematic risk-based qualification process that clearly documents the performance of the technology.

Purpose
Qualification is the process of providing the evidence that the technology will function within specific limits with an acceptable level of confidence. In the "Technology qualification management" service we assist you in managing the qualification of a new technology according to DNV RP-A203 "Qualification Procedure for New Technology". The new technology qualification process and services aim to help build and operate new technologies in a financially sound, safe, reliable and environmentally friendly way.

Benefits
DNV has qualified more than 60 new technologies using the RP-A203 approach. Different applications range from downhole safety valves to tidal energy systems. The RP-A203 approach has also been adopted by many oil majors and independents across the world. The main benefits of this procedure include:

• Improves confidence in the system
• Allows more efficient use of resources
• Systematically identifies failure modes
• Identifies necessary design changes at an early stage
• Reveals opportunities to improve system design
• Optimizes qualification testing and analysis efforts
• Uncovers interface issues between manufacturer and sub-vendors
• Increases the likelihood of qualifying the technology on time, thus minimizing the schedule risk
• Reduces the risk cost during operation by reducing uncertainties and increasing reliability
• Provides traceability of the qualification efforts
• Allows faster re-qualification for new operating conditions or after modifications.

Our Approach
The qualification procedure is a risk-based systematic process, which ensures that the technology will function reliably within specific limits. One of the main principles of this process is that the effort level required to qualify a technology increases with the risk level. DNV provides services to manage both the technical risk associated with technology qualification and the project schedule and commercial risks. Then we strike a balance between the qualification efforts for the various failure modes and the risks they represent.

Our Expertise
DNV developed the first, industry-recommended practice for qualifying new technology – the DNV-RP-A203 "Qualification Procedure for New Technology". Obviously, DNV has extensive experience in qualifying technologies according to this procedure. We combine risk management expertise with extensive knowledge of the energy industry’s technologies, plus the expertise in testing and research on new materials. Since DNV is an independent company working with both operators and technology vendors, we have accumulated great insight into most of the industry’s failure modes and mechanisms. This knowledge base makes DNV a unique partner for qualifying technology and improving its reliability and performance.