Equipment Rental Facility Approval Process
Fearnley Procter NS-1™ Accreditation Programme
The Fearnley Procter NS-1™ Accreditation Programme is an independent evaluation service that is available
to all suppliers of products, services and equipment to the Oil & Gas Industry. Trusted by end users and
suppliers it provides an unbiased review of the capability and competence of a company to work to the NS1™ and NS-2™ Standard.
The Equipment Rental Facility Approval assesses equipment rental facilities at specific locations for their
capability to provide identified products or services to the requirements of the NS-1™ Standard of Quality
Requirements for Manufacturing and Inspection of New Drilling and Well Completion Equipment.
At the end of the assessment process successful facilities will be awarded Certificates of Approval for that
facility alone and also for specific services and the rental of specific products.
Although some processes may be shared across a number of products it is possible for the same facility to
hold more than one certificate relevant to the different equipment or services that they supply.
The following assessments are available for Rental Facilities where requested:
Rental Facility Approval – Level 1 and Level 2
Process Approval - Level 2 and Level 3 for
the application or re-application of hard-facing products
the application or re-application of Internal plastic coating
NS-2™ Inspection Facility Approval – Level 2
Where any of the above processes are sub-contracted certificates cannot be held but would be recognised
as part of a Level 1 Rental Facility Approval Assessment.
This information sheet will deal solely with the processes for the Rental Facility Approval Assessment.
Information on the other aforementioned approval options is available on request.
Rental Facility Approval Assessment Process
Initial Application.
In the first instance companies are required to complete an Application Form, which sets out clearly the
products and services which are to be assessed. Based on the information given an audit plan and quote are
created and sent to the client. A declaration of readiness for audit is then provided by the applicant.
Approval is categorized under two levels - for approvals at each level, all the requirements of previous levels
shall be completed.
FEARNLEY PROCTER GROUP
1
NS/ACC/INFO/FAP/0
Level 1 (Process Audit)
Process Audits shall be conducted by NS A&S of the rental company’s facilities, systems and in house
processes. The audit shall cover the following areas;








Management System Review
Contract/Order Processing
Procurement
Workshop Process
Quality Control
Inspection & Test Equipment Calibration & Control
Packaging & Dispatch
Personnel Competence Assurance Scheme
Level 2 (Product Audit)
Product audits shall be conducted for this level and include requirements of Level 1. Product audits shall
cover the following areas;




NS-1™ Supplementary Requirements
NS-1™ Sub-Specifications
Mechanical Testing on selected material to verify conformance to NS-1™, i.e. Toughness, Hardness,
Yield, Chemical Analysis
Tests to verify effectiveness of cold rolling process of threaded connections
Products Audits shall be conducted on equipment currently covered under NS-1TM.
Facility Assessment
Upon receipt of applicant’s completed Pre Audit Questionnaire and supporting documents, the Auditor shall
prepare the audit questionnaire and schedule based on level of approval requested.
Where the Auditor detects a major non-conformance during the audit process, the applicant is required to
address areas of concerns. When the Auditor is satisfied that corrective measures are acceptable and he
has completed his report the application can then proceed for review by the NS-1™ Review Committee
Chairman.
Acceptance and Issue of Certification Packages
Once acceptance has been granted by the NS-1™ Technical review Committee Chairman, a Certification
Package shall be prepared containing the following;
FEARNLEY PROCTER GROUP
2
NS/ACC/INFO/ERFAP/0



Auditors final report
NS-1™ Certificate
NS-1™ License Agreement
The license agreement is an integral part of the Accreditation Programme and is invoiced each year.
Certificate of Approval shall document the following information:










Date of Approval
NS-1™ Certificate Number
Review Number(s)
Candidate/Facility Name and Address
Equipment rented under the certifcate
Review Level (1 or 2)
Scope of review including a general statement of Approval Cover
Audited/Reviewed Against
Valid Until date
Any ‘Exceptions’ to and ‘Conditions’ of the approval
The covering letter shall inform the Applicant that Approval has been granted only in accordance with
facility, equipment and processes reviewed and that any change to the manufacturing processes will
invalidate the original Approval and responsibility for continual Approval rests with the custodian or original
Applicant.
FEARNLEY PROCTER GROUP
3
NS/ACC/INFO/ERFAP/0