Qatargas’ Laboratory Gets ISO Accreditation

Qatargas announced a new milestone in its journey to be the world’s premier liquefied natural gas (LNG) company, as its state-of-the-art Laboratory was awarded with a major international quality accreditation.

The ISO-17025 certification from one of the most reputable accreditation bodies in the world, The Netherlands-based RvA, came after years of hard work from Qatargas Labs during which the Laboratory, based at its Ras Laffan Industrial City site, has implemented a Quality Management system, specifically designed for Laboratories. This standard is considered “Best Practice” in the field of Laboratories.

Commenting on this accomplishment, Toufik Benmosbah, Chief Safety, Environment and Quality (SEQ) Officer, Qatargas, said: “This is yet another feather in the cap of achievements for Qatargas. We are committed to providing a high quality service in everything we do. Our Lab includes state-of-the-art analytical equipment which meets the highest standards of safety and quality. This accreditation will ensure that the outcome of analytical tests performed by Qatargas Lab on our products is accurate and precise and they meet the toughest international standards.”

Mats Gjers, Qatargas Chief Operating Officer – Operations, said: “We are proud that the Qatargas Lab has got this accreditation after some hard work. This recognition is definitely going to reflect in enhancing product quality throughout the LNG production chain. Our strong commitment to operating excellence and innovation in delivering LNG to the world is clearly manifested in this accomplishment.”

Mohammed Bakhit Al Naimi, Head of the Laboratory, said: “Qatargas’ state of the art Laboratory was built within the Qatargas plot at Ras Laffan taking into consideration the massive expansion that has been undertaken by the company over the past few years. The new premises of the Lab was opened on 15th December 2008. It covers a surface area of 1600 square metres and incorporates five specific individual sections to be able to focus on the core business of Qatargas. There are a Gas Laboratory, a Petroleum Laboratory, an Analytical laboratory, a Water laboratory, and a Sulphur laboratory.  On average, the labs conduct in the region of 45,000 tests per month. The Laboratory provides full analytical services on a very wide range of aspects to the Qatargas assets including Offshore, Qatargas 1, Qatargas 2, Qatargas 3, Qatargas 4, Laffan Refinery, Common Sulphur facility, Ras Laffan Terminal Operations and various Environmental tests.”

The initial assessment of the Laboratory has been conducted in an open and constructive atmosphere. The RvA assessment team concluded that the laboratory has been working very hard in the last two years in order to implement a management system in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025:2005. The laboratory’s management system is sufficiently documented and operational, and the competence within the laboratory is of an appropriate level.  The tests methods, included in the scope of accreditation, are adequately validated. The Laboratory’s participation in proficiency testing is representative for the scope of accreditation and good results were obtained. The RvA assessment team is confident that the laboratory produces valid test results.

Explaining the way forward, Peter Beck, Head of Quality in Qatargas, said: “The accreditation is going to be repeated every year and it is our intention that at every visit we will add new tests to the existing scope.”

The ISO/IEC 17025 was first issued in 1999 by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and the International Electro technical Commission (IEC). It is the single most important standard for calibration and testing laboratories around the world. Laboratories that are accredited to this international standard have demonstrated that they are technically competent and able to produce precise and accurate test data.

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LNG World News Staff, December 12, 2011; Image: Qatargas