IADC/SPE

IADC/SPE 17251

Certification of Electrical Instrumentation for Use on Drilling Rigs

by J.R. Dolphin, Exlog/Totco

Copyright 1988, IADC/SPE Drilling Conference

This paper was prepared for presentation at the 1988 IADC/SPE Drilling Conference held in Dallas, Texas, February 28-March 2, 1988.

This paper was selected for presentation by an IADC/SPE Program Committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by
the author(s). Contents of the paper, as presented, have not been reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers or International Association of Drill-
ing Contractors and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material, as presented, does not necessarily reflect any position of the IADC or
SPE, its officers, or members. Papers presented at IADC/SPE meetings are subject to publication review by Editorial Committees of the IADC and
SPE. Permission to copy is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words. Illustrations may not be copied. The abstract should contain conspicu-
ous acknowledgment of where and by whom the paper is presented. Write Publications Manager, SPE, P.O. Box 833836, Richardson, TX 75083-3836.
Telex, 730989 SPEDAL.

ABSTRACT

Certification is the documented, independent third-party deter-
mination of compliance with a prescribed set of requirements. The
procedure for obtaining a certification is typically quite simple.
However, the process for obtaining certification is frequently
complicated by confusion over the numerous variables associated
with certification. Understanding these variables is a prerequisite
to the preparation of a meaningful specification, and defining
these variables facilitates the process of certification.
The variables associated with certification are listed below.
• Applicant
• Object of certification
• Nature of object
• History of object
• Certifying agency
• Hazardous locations
• Scope of investigation
• Applicable standards
• Grade of certification
• Inspections
• Follow up service
• Updates in requirements
• Identification of certified products
• Destination of equipment
• Type of platform
• Flag of vessel
Some of these variables are not applicable in every case.
This paper discusses the aforementioned variables, explains how
the variables affect certification of electrical instrumentation used
on drilling rigs, and describes the procedures for obtaining cer-
tification on components, products, systems, installations, and
rigs. Certification for both new and old rigs is included, as well as
modifications to rigs subsequent to certification. Examples of
specifications for certification are given at the end of the paper.
INTRODUCTION
Certification and Gasoline • We are all familiar with certification.
We encounter and benefit from certification everytime we pur-
References and illustrations at end of paper
chase gasoline. Gasolines are identified as "regular", "un-
leaded", "super unleaded", or the like. These names for different
grades of gasoline are the product of a certification program for
gasoline. Without these labels for the different grades of gasoline,
purchasing the correct gasoline would be next to impossible.
Drilling Rigs and Car Batteries - Drilling rigs and car batteries are
similar in the sense that both occasionally produce a potentially
flammable or explosive atmosphere. It is fortunate that both rarely
produce simultaneously the essential three ingredients for an ex-
plosion (fuel, oxygen, and ignition source), providing this relative-
ly low probability of an explosion does not lead to a false sense of
security. When jump starting a car, it was once common practice
to create sparks at the battery terminals while making the last
connection. People did this so often without any mishap that they
naturally assumed it was safe. Unfortunately, car batteries do ex-
plode. People are now advised to avoid creating sparks at the ter-
minals of a car battery. A similar situation exists on a drilling rig,
only on a grander scale. Drilling rigs also create the potential for
an explosion, albeit explosions are rare. Inevitably though, explo-
sions will occur on drilling rigs unless specially protected equip-
ment is used in locations where explosive mixtures can occur.
Certification and Drilling Rigs - Hazardous locations on drilling rigs
are locations where fire and explosion hazards exist due to flam-
mable gases or vapors. Certification of electrical equipment for
use in hazardous locations provides a means for the selection and
purchase of the proper equipment for the hazardous locations en-
countered on a drilling rig. This paper discusses certification of
electrical equipment for use on drilling rigs in terms of the
variables associated with certification.
VARIABLES
Applicant- In order for certification to occur, there must be an ap-
plicant. An applicant is the party requesting certification. Typical-
ly, certification is most easily obtained by the manufacturer of the
equipment or the designer of the system. If nothing else, certifica-
tion requires the cooperation of the manufacturer or designer to
supply the necessary information and drawings and to support the
effort to obtain certification. Sometimes, financial considerations
such as the economics of bundling submittals dictates that some-
one other than the manufacturer or designer apply for certification
of a complete installation. For example, it may be more economical

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2 CERTIFICATION OF ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTATION FOR USE ON DRILLING RIGS
for a shipbuilder to submit all their instrumentation together to a
ship classification society rather than having each of their sup-
pliers submit their instrumentation individually. In any case, it is
imperative that someone or some party be designated as the re-
sponsible party for obtaining certification.
Object of Certification - The object of certification is the item for
which certification is obtained. It can be an intrinsically safe
meter, an explosionproof horn, a purged data acquisition system,
an installation, a drilling rig, a drill ship, or something else. The lat-
ter are higher level certifications which generally have as a prere-
quisite that the components of the system or installation have
their own certifications. That is, there are different levels of certi-
fication. A prerequisite for certification of a drilling rig is the use of
certified equipment. A prerequisite for certification of equipment
is the use of certified components.
Nature of Object - This paper addresses only certification of elec-
trical equipment, but there are also requirements for certification
of pneumatic instrumentation and mechanical hardware. Another
consideration is whether the instrumentation is a custom ·or a
standard design. Sometimes, it is cost prohibitive to submit a cus-
tom design to a testing laboratory. The cost of the investigation
and test samples cannot be recovered.
History of Object - Most certifications are intended for new pro-
duction. Equipment already in the field and rebuilt equipment are
more difficult to certify. Ship classification societies can survey an
older rig, but the survey is more difficult than a routine survey be-
cause used equipment usually lacks traceability and documenta-
tion. Services are also available for certification of equipment
which has been rebuilt or modified. Since these services depend
on the circumstances, it is best to contact a testing laboratory or a
ship classification society for details.
Certifying Agency - There are different certifying agencies for dif-
ferent levels of certification. Testing laboratories such as UL (Un-
derwriters Laboratories Inc.) certify components, products, and
systems. Ship classification societies like Lloyd's Register of Ship-
ping certify systems, installations, and drill ships. Sometimes,
ship classification societies act on behalf of government agencies.
It is essential that the appropriate certifying agencies be identi-
fied.
Hazardous Locations - Hazardous locations must be specified in
terms of Groups and Zones or Divisions so that instrumentation
suitable for the particular hazardous locations can be selected.
Hazardous locations also have a Temperature Code or T-Code as-
sociated with them. Usually, the authority having jurisdiction over
the int?tallation ultimately determines the Groups, Zones or Divi-
sions, and T-Codes. More detailed information on hazardous loca-
tions can be found in IEC Publications 79-0 1 and 79-10 2 , NFPA
National Electrical Code (NEC) Article 500 3 , NFPA Publication
497M\ CENELEC Standard EN 50 014 5 , and British Standard
6
BS 5345: Part 2 • Likewise, more detailed information on the
classification of hazardous locations on drilling rigs can be found
7
in the IMO MODU Code , IP Code 8 , and API Recommended Prac-
9
tice RP500B •
Scope of Investigation - The scope of investigation can be limited
in two different ways. First, the scope can be limited with respect
to the level of certification. That is, certification of equipment can
be required without requiring certification of the installation. Se-
cond, it can also be limited with respect to extent of investigation.
The scope of investigation can be limited to the protection method
employed to render the equipment suitable for use in hazardous
locations. Alternatively, the scope of investigation can be expand-
ed to include all levels of certification and all reasonably foresee-
able hazards - explosion, fire, shock, casualty, radiation, and so
forth. Different certifying agencies have different ru·les regarding
limitations on the scope of investigation.
Applicable Standards - Some certifying agencies will only apply
requirements specified by the applicant. For instance, the appli-
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IADC/SPE 1 7 2 51
cant must nominate the standards for certification when submit-
ting a product to BASEEFA (British Approvals Service for Electri-
cal Equipment in Flammable Atmospheres) 10 • Similarly, INIEX (ln-
stitut National des Industries Extractives) will investigate pro-
ducts for compliance with either their national standards or the
CENELEC standards at the option of the manufacturer 11 • The
standards to which the product has been investigated are then
noted on the certificate for the product; Other certifying agencies
apply only the requirements which they deem appropriate. In
North America, the testing laboratories such as CSA (Canadian
Standards Association) 12 , FM (Factory Mutual Research Corp.) 13 ,
and UL 14 select the standards or requirements for certification of
a product. Alternately, investigations can be conducted in accor-
dance with mutually acceptable national or international stan-
dards if the standards used for the investigation are suitably iden-
tified on the product. That is, it can be assumed that the product
has been investigated in accordance with the laboratory's require-
ments for the product unless otherwise indicated in the markings
on the product. A party specifying a certification requirement
must know the procedures of the designated certifying agency
and must specify the standards for certification if not already de-
termined by the certifying agency.
Grade of Certification- There are different grades of certification.
For example, UL provides both Listing and Classification services.
These two services vary in the scope of investigation. Listing
means that samples of the product have been found to comply
with UL's requirements with respect to all reasonably foreseeable
hazards. In contrast products which have been Classified as to in-
trinsic safety only have only been investigated for compliance
with the requirements for intrinsic safety. Ship classification so-
cieties have different classes for drill ships. For example, DNV
(Det Norske Veritas) has their class notations Drill and Drill (N).
Drill (N) signifies compliance with Norwegian requirements. The
grade of certification may not always be a major concern, but it is
something to be considered.
Inspections and Follow Up Service - Different types of initial and
follow up inspections are provided by the different testing labora-
tories. Initial production inspections may be required. In addition
to the different methods employed for follow up service, the inter-
vals between inspections and the sampling techniques vary from
one laboratory to another. Ship classification societies offer differ-
ent degrees of inspection as a part of their different grades of cer-
tification. The + (Maltese cross) in the ABS (American Bureau of
Shipping) designations + CDS and + CDS (N) denotes that the
equipment has been manufactured and installed under survey to
ABS. ABS also offers Annual and Special surveys for the mainte-
15
nance of certification of the drilling system • This too may be a
minor concern, but parties specifying certification might be inter-
ested in the different degrees of inspection and follow up service
provided by the various certifying agencies.
Updates in Requirements - Some certifying agencies automatical-
ly review all products for compliance with new and revised re-
quirements. Under this arrangement, the certification is updated
whenever new requirements become effective. Other certifying
agencies note which requirements were applied for the investiga-
tion. In this case, it is necessary that all parties involved be aware
of the standards and amendments that will be acceptable to the
authority having jurisdiction over the installation. Ship classifica-
tion societies can be contracted to review installations or drill
ships for compliance with updated requirements.
Identification of Certified Products ~ The different methods for
identifying certified equipment and installations usually involve
some sort of marking on the hardware, certificates, or both. Mark-
ings and certificates may be self-sufficient or may reference addi-
tional documentation. Whatever the method of identifying certi-
fied products, the intent is to keep the identification simple while
providing all the essential information. Most certifying agencies
also publish their certifications in Directories, Registers, or the
like 16- 23 • Additionally, many certifying agencies now maintain a
IADC/SPE 17251 James R. Dolphin
computer data base of their certifications. CSA was one of the
first certifying agencies to offer direct outside access to their data
base.
Destination of Equipment and Type of Platform - The destination
of the drilling rig or drill ship ultimately determines the applicable
regulations. The applicable regulations can affect the require-
ments applicable to the equipment used on the drilling rig or drill
ship. By act of the Norwegian parliament in 1985, the Norwegian
Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has jurisdiction over electrical equip-
ment in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea. The United States
Coast Guard has jurisdiction over mobile rigs operating in federal
waters in the Gulf of Mexico, while the Minerals Management Ser-
vice of the United States Department of the Interior has jurisdic-
tion over fixed platforms in federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico.
On land in the United States, the national, state and local govern-
ment agencies have jurisdiction. A key to identifying the appli-
cable requirements is identifying the authority or authorities hav-
ing jurisdiction.
Flag of Vessel - In the case of drill ships, the flag of the vessel af-
fects how rules and regulations apply to the vessel. A U.S.
flagged drill ship operating over the outer continental shelf in U.S.
waters is subject to the United States Coast Guard Regulations. In
contrast, the U.S. Coast Guard will accept a foreign flagged (other
than U.S. flagged) drill ship operating in those waters if the vessel
has an IMO MODU Code certificate or a suitable certificate indica-
ting compliance with comparable national standards 24 . Unfortun-
ately, not all authorities practice this harmonizing norm.
PROCEDURES
General - Procedures for obtaining certification are somewhat sur-
prisingly common. Usually, an application must be made for in-
vestigation, plan review, or whatever other service is required.
There is always a fee, but arrangements for payment vary: pre-
payment, deposit and periodic invoicing, payment upon invoicing,
etc. An exchange of information is always required. In fact, the
exchange of the essential information is the most critical aspect
aside from determination of compliance with the requirements. A
good design will never be certified unless the essential informa-
tion is communicated to the certifying agency. Frequently, an in-
vestigation or plan review pinpoints modifications needed before
certification can be issued. The required inspections are conduc-
ted, and the certification is made public in the manner prescribed
by the certifying agency. Naturally, the cost and duration of an in-
vestigation or review vary according to the nature of the submit-
tal. Based on past experience, the cost normally ranges from a
few hundred dollars (U.S.) to a maximum of $10,000.00 (U.S.).
Investigation of a product can take anywhere from two months to
a year. Most testing laboratories can perform the necessary work
in two months, but backlogs and complications often delay the
actual completion of the investigation. Reviews by ship classifica-
tion societies usually progress in conjunction with the delivery
and installation of the equipment, providing a couple of months is
allowed at the beginning of the submittal for the initial plan review
and factory visits.
EXAMPLES
Common Specification - The following example is a common, but
incomplete specification for certification.
Certification - All equipment must comply with
the requirements of SCS. (SCS is a fictitious ship
classification society.)
Several variables are omitted from the specification, resulting in
an ambigious and confusing specification. Technically, the speci-
fication does not require certification. Perhaps, that is the intent.
If the intent is to require certification, the party responsible for
certification is not identified. The specification does not identify
the applicable requirements, nor does it identify the particulars
concering the hazardous locations involved. The applicable re-
609
3
quirements may be obvious or known to SCS, but uncertainty
about the requirements is a source of confusion. Another way of
specifying the applicable requirements is to specify the destina-
tion(s) of the equipment. The destination(s) determine the appli-
cable regulations which, in turn, determine the requirements ac-
ceptable to the authority having jurisdiction. However, it is often
necessary to supplement the specification with more specific in-
formation. For example, the specification could require compli-
ance with the current SCS Rules for Classification of Mobile Off-
shore Drilling Units, #idr(N). Note that a certain grade of certifica-
tion, #idr(N), is specified. The# symbol is intended to signify that
on site inspections are required. The specification may or may not
properly identify the object of certification. In the context of this
paper, the object of certification would be the electrical instru-
mentation for use on drilling rigs. A more general interpretation
might be that the object is all equipment including the rig or vessel
itself. A particular testing laboratory can be specified, but speci-
fying the destination(s) and the ship classification society usually
also defines the acceptable testing laboratories. For a drill ship,
the flag of the vessel would need to be given.
Sample Specifications - An example of a more complete specifica-
tion for certification of electrical instrumentation for use on a land
rig is shown in Figure 1 ; an example for a drill ship is shown in
Figure 2.
CONCLUSIONS
Certification provides a convenient means for the selection and
safe installation of suitable electrical instrumentation for use on
drilling rigs and especially for electrical instrumentation for use in
the hazardous locations commonly found on drilling rigs.
A better understanding of certification of electrical equipment for
use on drilling rigs is obtained by doing an analysis of the variables
associated with certification of the electrical instrumentation.
While the details of the procedures for obtaining certification vary
from one certifying agency to another, there is a commonality to
the procedures in general. It is important to recognize that there is
a process for certification involving the exchange of information
which is essential to the successful completion of the process.
The sample specifications contained in this paper are provided as
examples and models for future specifications concerning require-
ments for certification of electrical instrumentation for use on
drilling rigs.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The author gratefully acknowledges the many people whose ef-
forts made this paper possible and specifically the management of
EXLOG/TOTCO for the opportunity to prepare this paper.
REFERENCES
International Electrotechnical Commission, IEC Publication
79-0, "Electrical Apparatus for Explosive Gas Atmospheres,
Part 0: General Requirements", Geneva, Switzerland.
2 International Electrotechnical Commission, IEC Publication
79-10, "Electrical Apparatus for Explosive Gas Atmos-
pheres, Part 10: Classification of Hazardous Areas",
Geneva, Switzerland.
3 National Fire Protection Association, ANSI/NFPA 70, "Na-
tional Electrical Code", Quincy, Massachusetts, USA.
4 National Fire Protection Association, NFPA 497M, "Classifi-
cation of Gases, Vapors and Dusts for Electrical Equipment
in Hazardous (Classified) Locations", Quincy, Massachu-
setts, USA.
5 European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization,
CENELEC EN 50 014, "Electrical Apparatus for Potentially
Explosive Atmospheres, General Requirements", Brussels,
Belgium.
4 CERTIFICATION OF ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTATION FOR USE ON DRILLING RIGS IADC/SPE 1 7 2 51

6 British Standards Institution, BS 5345: Part 2, "British Stan-

dard Code of Practice for the Selection, Installation and
Maintenance of Electrical Apparatus for Use in Potentially
Explosive Atmospheres, Part 2: Classification of Hazardous
Areas", London, England.
7 Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization,
IMO MODU Code, "Code for the Construction and Equip-
ment of Mobile Offshore Drilling Units", London, England.
8 International Petroleum Institute, IP Code, "Model Code of
Safe Practice: Electrical, Part 1 ", London, England.
9 American Petroleum Institute, API RP500B, "Recommended
Practice for Classification of Locations for Electrical Installa-
tions at Drilling Rigs and Production Facilities on Land and on
Marine Fixed and Mobile Platforms", Washington, DC, USA.
10 Health and Safety Executive, Electrical Equipment Certifica-
tion Service, "Electrical Euipment Certification Guide",
Buxton, Derbyshire, England.
11 lnstitut National des Industries Extractives, "Rapport Annuel
1986", Liege, Belgium.
12 Canadian Standards Association, "CSA Services and Infor-
mation Catalog", Rexdale, Ontario, Canada.
13 Factory Mutual Research Corp., "Factory Mutual Approval
Services ", Norwood, Massachusetts, USA.
14 Underwriters Laboratories Inc., "Testing for Public Safety",
Northbrook, Illinois, USA.
15 American Bureau of Shipping, "Guide for the Certification of
Drilling Systems", Paramus, New Jersey, USA.
16 Canadian Standards Association, "List of Certified Electrical
Equipment for Use in Hazardous Locations - Volume Ill",
Rexdale, Ontario, Canada.
17 Factory Mutual Reasearch Corp., "Approval Guide",
Norwood, Massachusetts, USA.
18 Health and Safety Executive, Electrical Equipment Certifica-
tion Service, "BASEEFA List, Certified and Approved Electri-
cal Equipment", Buxton, Derbyshire, England.
19 Underwriters Laboratories Inc., "Hazardous Location Equip-
ment Directory", Northbrook, Illinois, USA.
20 American Bureau of Shipping, "List of Approved
Equipment", Paramas, New Jersey, USA.
21 Det Norske Veritas, "Type Approved Products, Electrical
Equipment and Systems", Oslo, Norway.
22 Det Norske Veritas, "Type Approved Products, Instrumenta-
tion and Automation", Oslo, Norway.
23 Lloyd's Register of Shipping, "International Register of Elec-
trical Equipment Certified for Use in Flammable Atmos-
pheres", London, England.
24 U.S. Government Printing Office, "Code of Federal Regula-
tions (CFR)", Title 33, Parts 140.101-.102 and 143.207,
Washington, DC, USA.

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 SP£ 17251

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

General - The electrical instrumentation identified below shall satisfy the foliowing certification requirements.

Equipment - Electrical instrumentation for use in hazardous locations.

Hazardous Locations (if applicable) -

Groups - NEC Class I, Groups C and D

Zonas/Divisions - Divisions per current edition of API RP500B

Temperature Code- T . ; _ 3 . ; ; . . C = - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Destination(s) - Oklahoma and Texas

Standards - Those acceptable to authorities having jurisdiction.

Testing Laboratories- Those acceptable to authorities having jurisdiction.

Identification of Certified Equipment- As prescribed by the respective testing laboratories.

Figure 1 - Sample Specification For Certification Of Electrical Instrumentation For Land Rig

611
 SPE 17251

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

General - The electrical instrumentation identified below shall satisfy the following certification requirements.

Equipment - Electrical instrumentation for use in hazardous locations.

Hazardous Locations (if applicable) -

Groups - IEC Group liB; NEC Class I, Groups C and D

Zones/Divisions - Zones per current IMO MODU Code, Divisions per current API RPSOOB. Worst case

in the event of conflict.

Temperature Code- T.:....4...;..__ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Destination(&)- Gulf of Mexico and North Sea (UK and Norwegian sectors).

Standards- Those acceptable to authorities having jurisdiction.

Class-~#i~d~r(~N~)-------------------------------------------------------------------

Flag - Norwegian

Testing Laboratories - Those acceptable to SCS and to authorities having jurisdiction.

Identification of Certified Equipment- As prescribed by SCS and the respective testing laboratories. Certificate

preferred.

Figure 2 - Sample Specification For Certification Of Electrical lnstrumentaton For A Drill Ship

612