A key benefit of the certification is that it will enable a significant reduction in the involvement of Notified Bodies in assessment and inspection during the engineering and construction phases of projects.

As Wim van der Zande, President of AK Process, confirms, "This certification represents an important step in our drive to be a leading centre of project execution excellence for our industry. A core element of our management systems is to ensure proper quality levels on our delivered projects. From an operational standpoint, it means that projects will be able to progress through the engineering and construction phases without the requirement to undergo third party inspections for manufacturing of system assemblies.  This will help expedite project completions considerably."

The scope of the Aker Kvaerner's certification under module H of the European Pressure Equipment Directive 97/23/EC (PED) applies to manufacturing (engineering and construction) of piping assemblies including inline piping components. The Pressure Equipment Directive, an important industry benchmark, came into force in May 2002 and covers all items of pressure equipment, including piping and in-line components, that are to be placed on the market within the European Economic Area.

A team from Lloyd's Register Nederland office conducted an audit of Aker Kvaerner's Quality Management System for the application of the PED requirements on the design and manufacturing of piping. Audits have also been conducted on the EVAL Line 2 project in Antwerp for which Aker Kvaerner executes the engineering, procurement and construction.

In preparation for the qualification audits, Aker Kvaerner's HSE in Design/Authority Group conducted a review of existing working procedures and methods to ensure compliance with the PED's essential safety requirements. Quality control of piping fabrication was a major focus of the review as this activity is typically sub-contracted.

ENDS

 

Peter Verduyn, Aker Kvaerner, the Netherlands: +31(0)79 368 8447

Wim van der Zande, Aker Kvaerner, The Netherlands: Tel: +31 (0)79 368 8343

1. AKER KVÆRNER ASA, through its subsidiaries and affiliates ("Aker Kvaerner"), is a leading global provider of engineering and construction services, technology products and integrated solutions. The businesses within Aker Kvaerner span a number of industries, including Oil & Gas production, Refining & Chemicals, Mining & Metals, Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology, Power Generation and Pulp & Paper. Aker Kvaerner has aggregated annual revenues of approximately USD 4.5 billion and employs around 21,000 employees in more than 30 countries.

The Aker Kvaerner group consists of a number of separate legal entities. Aker Kvaerner is used as the common brand/trademark for most of these entities. The parent company in the group is Aker Kværner ASA.

 

2. AK Process is a trading name of Aker Kvaerner Netherlands B.V., the legal entity responsible for the execution of the work.  AK Process is one of the core businesses of the Aker Kvaerner group in Europe.  AK Process serves the chemicals and polymers, refining and onshore oil & gas industries.  It provides the full life cycle of a project from concept studies, through to design, engineering, project management, delivery of process technologies, procurement, construction and maintenance services. As a pure project execution/EPC specialist, AK Process can provide customers with strategic 'one-off' services or full turnkey solutions under a single project management control.

The company works with its customers in the development of major technological innovations, having participated in the conceptualisation and implementation of ideas, which are the foundation for world-class production facilities.

This press release may include forward-looking information or statements and is subject to our disclaimer, see our web-pages www.akerkvaerner.com