DEP SPECIFICATION

NDT VENDOR CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT FOR

FABRICATION INSPECTION
Copyright Shell Group of Companies. No reproduction or networking permitted without license from Shell. Not for resale

DEP 30.55.03.31-Gen.

February 2021

DESIGN AND ENGINEERING PRACTICE

© 2021 Shell Group of companies

All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, published or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior
written permission of the copyright owner or Shell Global Solutions International BV.

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PREFACE

DEP (Design and Engineering Practice) publications reflect the views, at the time of publication, of Shell Global Solutions
International B.V. (Shell GSI) and, in some cases, of other Shell Companies.
These views are based on the experience acquired during involvement with the design, construction, operation and
maintenance of processing units and facilities. Where deemed appropriate DEPs are based on, or reference international,
regional, national and industry standards.
The objective is to set the standard for good design and engineering practice to be applied by Shell companies in oil and
gas production, oil refining, gas handling, gasification, chemical processing, or any other such facility, and thereby to help
achieve maximum technical and economic benefit from standardization.
The information set forth in these publications is provided to Shell companies for their consideration and decision to
implement. This is of particular importance where DEPs may not cover every requirement or diversity of condition at each
locality. The system of DEPs is expected to be sufficiently flexible to allow individual Operating Units to adapt the information
set forth in DEPs to their own environment and requirements.
When Contractors or Manufacturers/Suppliers use DEPs, they shall be solely responsible for such use, including the quality
of their work and the attainment of the required design and engineering standards. In particular, for those requirements not
specifically covered, the Principal will typically expect them to follow those design and engineering practices that will achieve
at least the same level of integrity as reflected in the DEPs. If in doubt, the Contractor or Manufacturer/Supplier shall, without
detracting from his own responsibility, consult the Principal.
The right to obtain and to use DEPs is restricted, and is typically granted by Shell GSI (and in some cases by other Shell
Companies) under a Service Agreement or a License Agreement. This right is granted primarily to Shell companies and
other companies receiving technical advice and services from Shell GSI or another Shell Company. Consequently, three
categories of users of DEPs can be distinguished:
1) Operating Units having a Service Agreement with Shell GSI or another Shell Company. The use of DEPs by these
Operating Units is subject in all respects to the terms and conditions of the relevant Service Agreement.
2) Other parties who are authorised to use DEPs subject to appropriate contractual arrangements (whether as part of a
Service Agreement or otherwise).
3) Contractors/subcontractors and Manufacturers/Suppliers under a contract with users referred to under 1) or 2) which
requires that tenders for projects, materials supplied or - generally - work performed on behalf of the said users comply
with the relevant standards.
Subject to any particular terms and conditions as may be set forth in specific agreements with users, Shell GSI disclaims
any liability of whatsoever nature for any damage (including injury or death) suffered by any company or person whomsoever
as a result of or in connection with the use, application or implementation of any DEP, combination of DEPs or any part
thereof, even if it is wholly or partly caused by negligence on the part of Shell GSI or other Shell Company. The benefit of
this disclaimer shall inure in all respects to Shell GSI and/or any Shell Company, or companies affiliated to these companies,
that may issue DEPs or advise or require the use of DEPs.
Without prejudice to any specific terms in respect of confidentiality under relevant contractual arrangements, DEPs shall not,
without the prior written consent of Shell GSI, be disclosed by users to any company or person whomsoever and the DEPs
shall be used exclusively for the purpose for which they have been provided to the user. They shall be returned after use,
including any copies which shall only be made by users with the express prior written consent of Shell GSI. The copyright of
DEPs vests in Shell Group of companies. Users shall arrange for DEPs to be held in safe custody and Shell GSI may at any
time require information satisfactory to them in order to ascertain how users implement this requirement.
All administrative queries should be directed to the DEP Administrator in Shell GSI.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................... 4
1.1 SCOPE .............................................................................................................. 4
1.2 DISTRIBUTION, INTENDED USE AND REGULATORY
CONSIDERATIONS........................................................................................... 4
1.3 DEFINITIONS .................................................................................................... 4
1.4 CROSS-REFERENCES .................................................................................... 5
1.5 SUMMARY OF MAIN CHANGES...................................................................... 5
1.6 COMMENTS ON THIS DEP .............................................................................. 6
1.7 DUAL UNITS ...................................................................................................... 6
1.8 NON NORMATIVE TEXT (COMMENTARY) ..................................................... 6
2. GENERAL .......................................................................................................... 7
2.1 BACKGROUND ................................................................................................. 7
2.2 ASSESSMENT STAGE ..................................................................................... 7
2.3 RESPONSIBILITY FOR ASSESSMENT ........................................................... 7
2.4 PREREQUISITES FOR ASSESSMENT ........................................................... 7
3. ASSESSMENT ELEMENTS .............................................................................. 7
3.1 GENERAL .......................................................................................................... 7
3.2 RELEVANT PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE................................................ 7
3.3 PROCEDURES.................................................................................................. 8
3.4 PERSONNEL QUALIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION................................... 8
3.5 EQUIPMENT AND CONSUMABLES MANAGEMENT ..................................... 9
3.6 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE .................................................................... 9
3.7 ACCREDITATION OF NDT VENDOR............................................................. 10
4. ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA .............................................................................. 10
4.1 GENERAL ........................................................................................................ 10
4.2 MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCEPTANCE ........................................10
4.3 REASSESSMENT OF VENDORS .................................................................. 10
5. REFERENCES ................................................................................................ 11

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1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 SCOPE
This DEP specifies requirements and gives recommendations for assessment of the
capability of non-destructuve testing (NDT) vendors during pre-qualification stage of
projects for performing the required type and level of NDT for fabrication inspection.
This is a revision of the DEP of the same number dated February 2017; see (1.5) regarding
the changes.
1.2 DISTRIBUTION, INTENDED USE AND REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS
Unless otherwise authorised by Shell GSI, the distribution of this DEP is confined to Shell
companies and, where necessary, to Contractors and Manufacturers/Suppliers nominated
by them. Any authorised access to DEPs does not for that reason constitute an
authorisation to any documents, data or information to which the DEPs may refer.
This DEP is intended for use in facilities related to oil and gas production, gas handling, oil
refining, chemical processing, gasification, distribution and supply/marketing. This DEP may
also be applied in other similar facilities.
When DEPs are applied, a Management of Change (MOC) process shall be implemented;
this is of particular importance when existing facilities are to be modified.
If national and/or local regulations exist in which some of the requirements could be more
stringent than in this DEP, the Contractor shall determine by careful scrutiny which of the
requirements are the more stringent and which combination of requirements will be
acceptable with regards to the safety, environmental, economic and legal aspects. In all
cases, the Contractor shall inform the Principal of any deviation from the requirements of
this DEP which is considered to be necessary in order to comply with national and/or local
regulations. The Principal may then negotiate with the Authorities concerned, the objective
being to obtain agreement to follow this DEP as closely as possible.
1.3 DEFINITIONS
1.3.1 General definitions
The Contractor is the party that carries out all or part of the design, engineering,
procurement, construction, commissioning or management of a project or operation of a
facility. The Principal may undertake all or part of the duties of the Contractor.
The Manufacturer/Supplier is the party that manufactures or supplies equipment and
services to perform the duties specified by the Contractor.
The Principal is the party that initiates the project and ultimately pays for it. The Principal
may also include an agent or consultant authorised to act for, and on behalf of, the
Principal.
The word shall indicates a requirement.
The word should indicates a recommendation.
The word may indicates a permitted option.
1.3.2 Specific definitions
The following definitions are specific to this DEP.

Term Definition

Fabrication Inspection of equipment before it is placed in service

Inspection

NDT System The combination of NDT technique, NDT equipment, procedure, personnel

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NDT Vendor The party that carries out the NDT. The NDT can either be carried out in-
house by Contractor or outsourced. The NDT Vendor is responsible for the
delivery of the NDT-operators and necessary equipment and documentation
for the NDT-qualification and production inspection, including the requested
reporting.

1.3.3 Abbreviations
The following abbreviations are specific to this DEP.

Term Definition

ASNT American Society For Non Destructive Testing

HSSE Health, Safety, Security and Environment

MOC Management of Change

NDE Non-destructive Examination (also known as NDT)

NDT Non-destructive Testing (also known as NDE)

PQP Project Quality Plan

QA Quality Assurance

UKAS United Kingdom Accreditation Services

1.4 CROSS-REFERENCES
Where cross-references to other parts of this DEP are made, the referenced section or
clause number is shown in brackets ( ). Other documents referenced by this DEP are listed
in (5).
1.5 SUMMARY OF MAIN CHANGES
This DEP is a revision of the DEP of the same number dated February 2017. This is an
administrative update only to align the layout of this DEP to a new publishing application.
The February 2017 revision of this DEP represents the most recent major update, for which
the DEP title changed and for which content changes followed a requirements quality
review, simplification and removal of non-technical content.

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1.6 COMMENTS ON THIS DEP

Comments on this DEP may be submitted to the Administrator using one of the following
options:

Shell DEPs Online Enter the Shell DEPs Online system at

(Users with access to https://www.shelldeps.com
Shell DEPs Online) Select a DEP and then go to the details screen for
that DEP.
Click on the “Give feedback” link, fill in the online
form and submit.
DEP Feedback Enter comments directly in the DEP Feedback
System System which is accessible from the Technical
(Users with access to Standards Portal http://sww.shell.com/standards.
Shell Wide Web) Select “Submit DEP Feedback”, fill in the online form
and submit.
DEP Standard Form Use DEP Standard Form 00.00.05.80-Gen. to record
(other users) feedback and email the form to the Administrator at
[email protected].

Feedback that has been registered in the DEP Feedback System by using one of the above
options will be reviewed by the DEP Custodian for potential improvements to the DEP.
1.7 DUAL UNITS
This DEP contains both the International System (SI) units, as well as the corresponding
US Customary (USC) units, which are given following the SI units in brackets. When agreed
by the Principal, the indicated USC values/units may be used.
1.8 NON NORMATIVE TEXT (COMMENTARY)
Text shown in italic style in this DEP indicates text that is non-normative and is provided as
explanation or background information only.
Non-normative text is normally indented slightly to the right of the relevant DEP
clause.

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2. GENERAL
2.1 BACKGROUND
Non-destructive testing (NDT) plays a vital role in assuring the quality and reliability of
several critical products. At fabrication stage NDT is an activity within the quality assurance
function to ensure the quality of fabrication products. The achievement of quality in
execution of NDT operations demands attention to a series of interlinked aspects e.g.,
standards, procedures, equipment and personnel training and certification which provides a
framework for quality assurance in NDT.
Quality Assurance in NDT means all those planned and systematic actions needed to
provide adequate confidence to the customers, regulators and other stake holders that the
NDT operations were performed and documented in accordance with the specified
requirements. As a part of quality assurance in NDT, the formal assessment of capability of
an NDT vendor to perform the required type and level of NDT is crucial.
This DEP specifies the process for assessment of capability of an NDT vendor during the
pre-qualification stage of a project for performing the required type and level of NDT for
fabrication inspection.

2.2 ASSESSMENT STAGE

1. The capability assessment of the NDT vendor to perform the required type and level of
NDT should be carried out at the pre-qualification stage of the project.
2. Refer to DEP 30.55.03.30‑Gen. for the requirements for assessing the need for the
qualification of all NDT applied during the project.
2.3 RESPONSIBILITY FOR ASSESSMENT
1. The assessment of the capability of an NDT vendor to perform the required type and
level of NDT, as per the requirements stated in this DEP, shall be subject to approval
by the Principal.
2.4 PREREQUISITES FOR ASSESSMENT
1. The Contractor should obtain the following from the Principal:
a. the list of NDT companies to be assessed;
b. the list of types and level of NDT to be covered;
c. the timeframe for the assessment to implement ant corrective action, if required.
The types and level of NDT are defined in detail in DEP 30.55.03.30‑Gen.
3. ASSESSMENT ELEMENTS
3.1 GENERAL
1. The assessment should cover the entire NDT system.
2. The assessment should cover both in-house and outsourced NDT.
3.2 RELEVANT PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE
1. Any previous work experience should be considered relevant on the basis of the type
and level (combination of geometry, thickness and material) of NDT performed.
2. Assessment of current and planned workload should be considered in addition to
previous work experience.

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3.3 PROCEDURES
1. The review of procedures during prequalification should include all procedures
available at the NDT Contractor that are relevant for the project.
2. Procedures for the applicable type and method of NDT should be reviewed to assess
the quality and completeness satisfying the applicable code requirements.
3. Where no requirements are stated in applicable codes the NDT procedure should cover
the following:
a. the procedure should cover all essential variables that govern the performance of
the methods;
Any change in essential variable is a cause of revision of the procedure.
b. NDT procedures should be reviewed and approved by the authorized and
qualified personnel (NDT Level III as per ASNT SNT-TC-1A or ISO 9712) in the
respective method;
c. NDT procedures should include details on the following:
i. scope and limitations;
ii. personnel qualification requirements;
iii. reference codes and standards;
iv. health and safety aspects;
v. surface preparation requirements;
vi. equipment, probes, consumables and calibration standards;
vii. applicable techniques and method of examination;
viii. test results evaluation/interpretation;
ix. acceptance criteria;
x. reporting requirements.
4. The review of NDT procedures should cover the company’s QA system used to
manage (for example, but not limited to develop, revise, approve, maintain) NDT
procedures within the organization.
3.4 PERSONNEL QUALIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION
In the field of NDT personnel certification there are two types of standards; those which
cover central independent certification and those for in-house certification. Central
independent certification schemes are defined in the International Standard ISO 9712.
In-house certification schemes are in accordance with ASNT SNT-TC-1A recommended
practice. In-house certification allows tailored training and approval more closely to the
specific needs of a NDT company, but lacks the benefits of independent certification
examinations by a central body. From a quality assurance point of view independency
(which provides consistency) of the certification process is an important property of the
certification schemes.
1. When a NDT vendor proposes to use NDT personnel qualified and certified in
accordance with in-house certification schemes, the NDT vendor shall develop internal
practices for controlling the internal qualification and authorization of their NDT
personnel.
2. NDT vendor responsibilities shall be:
a. to bear overall responsibility for all NDT operations, including those performed by
the sub-contractors;

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b. to endorse the validity of the information provided on education, training, and

experience of the NDT personnel required to establish the eligibility of NDT
personnel;
c. to ensure that NDT personnel perform only those NDT tasks for which they are
certified;to ensure on annual basis that NDT personnel meets the visual acuity
and colour contrast differentiation requirements;
d. to maintain the records of education, trainings, work experience, vision tests and
qualification examination results of all NDT personnel.
3. The internal practices of the NDT vendor shall be subject to review by the Principal.
4. The internal written practice should include details or reference to the following:
a. applicable codes and standards;
b. general responsibilities of Level I, II and III NDT personnel;
c. scope of certification – method, level and sector;
d. persons designated to be responsible for issuing the authorization to perform NDT
task within the scope of individual’s certification;
e. control in-house training and examination including job specific training;
f. responsibility for maintenance and control of all relevant records.
3.5 EQUIPMENT AND CONSUMABLES MANAGEMENT
1. NDT vendor shall have the capability to provide all the necessary equipment,
accessories, calibration blocks and consumables to perform the required NDT.
2. NDT vendor shall have adequate organizational arrangements and procedures for NDT
equipment and consumables management.
3. All NDT equipment where applicable, shall have valid calibration certificates traceable
to national standards.
4. Calibration and maintenance frequency should be defined based on the guidelines of
the equipment’s manufacturer.
5. All equipment shall be re-calibrated after any repairs.
6. All accessories e.g., probes, calibration blocks and consumables, where applicable,
should be substantiated by any documentary proof e.g., specification data sheets or
certificates of conformity.
7. Certification for and traceability to calibration block (dimensional verification) should be
maintained and demonstrated.
8. Records of all calibration, maintenance and repairs shall be documented and
maintained.
3.6 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
1. Assessment of the organizational structure related to NDT functions/operations should
include review of:
a. organization structure/chart including reporting hierarchy;
b. job description for each role defined in the organization chart;
c. current staffing levels;
d. training/competency matrix.

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3.7 ACCREDITATION OF NDT VENDOR

1. NDT vendors accredited by accreditation bodies such as ISO Standard 17020 or in
accordance with the national requirements (such as UKAS) should be selected.
Accreditation assessments are much more comprehensive than quality system
audits as per ISO 9001, with greater emphasis on the NDT operations and inherent
technical capability of the organization.
4. ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA
4.1 GENERAL
1. The NDT vendor’s capability based on the assessment of elements listed in section (3)
of this DEP shall be evaluated by assigning ratings to each of the element as in
Table 1.
Table 1 Assessment ratings for each element
Assessment Excellent Satisfactory Poor Unacceptable
element
Relevant previous
work experience
Procedures
Personnel
Qualification &
Certification
Equipment and
consumables
management
Organization
Structure
Accreditation of
NDT Vendor

Due the nature of the assessment elements, they will require subjective evaluation.

4.2 MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCEPTANCE

1. Acceptance ratings shall be assigned as follows:

Accepted Excellent and/or Satisfactory rating for all

elements
Accepted with conditions Poor in no more than two (2) elements
Non-Accepted Poor in more than two (2) elements and/or
Unacceptable in any one (1) elements

4.3 REASSESSMENT OF VENDORS

1. The NDT vendor should provide a specific improvement plan covering identified gaps
with target dates for improvement to be successfully addressed, implemented and
closed.
2. The NDT vendor may be reassessed after the submission of the improvement plan to
revise the acceptance rating based on the review of the evidence
provided/demonstrated by the NDT vendor to close the identified gaps.

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5. REFERENCES
In this DEP, reference is made to the following publications:
Unless specifically designated by date, the latest edition of each publication shall be used,
together with any amendments/supplements/revisions thereto.
SHELL STANDARDS

DEP 00.00.05.80-Gen. DEP feedback form

DEP 30.55.03.30-Gen. Qualification of NDE for fabrication inspection

INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS

ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems - Requirements

ISO 9712 Non-destructive testing - Qualification and certification of NDT

personnel

ISO/IEC 17020 Conformity assessment - Requirements for the operation of

various types of bodies performing inspection

AMERICAN STANDARDS

ASNT SNT-TC-1A Recommended practice for personal qualification and

certification in nondestructive testing

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