The API Q2 specification outlines quality management system requirements for service supply organizations in the petroleum and natural gas industries, developed in response to the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon incident. It introduces more stringent mandatory procedures than ISO standards, focusing on risk management and service quality to enhance safety and reliability across supply chains. API Q2 is characterized by its additional requirements and controls, fostering compliance among service providers and suppliers to ensure high-quality service execution.

2. Specification for Quality Management System
Requirements for Service Supply Organizations for
the Petroleum and Natural Gas Industries
AService Providers Perspective

3. API Q2
API Specification Q2, published in December 2011: Quality
Management System for Service Supply Organizations for
the Petroleum and Natural Gas Industries.
The American Petroleum Institute (API) is the sole trade
association that represents all aspects of the oil and natural
gas industry within the United States for over 75 years.
While API's primary focus is national, the organization is
recognized globally. Similar to the International
Organization for Standardization (ISO), API develops
standards that are specific to the oil and gas industry.

4. API Q2
Catalyst for API Q2 was the BP Deepwater Horizon incident in 2010
Specification was set specifically for service organisations supplying the
upstream petroleum and natural gas industries
With the ‘Majors’ looking to enforce Q2 throughout the supply chain the
impact won’t stop at service companies, any company wishing to work with
these organisations will need to be compliant
Tighter on exclusions than ISO 9001
More mandatory procedures
ISO 9001:2008 has 136 shall requirements, which means an organization must
meet these requirements. In comparison API Spec Q2 has 186 shall
requirements.

5. API Q2
ISO 9001 & 29001 Mandatory procedures:
1. Control of Documents,
2. Control of Records,
3. Control of Nonconforming Products,
4. Internal Audits,
5. Corrective Actions, and
6. Preventive Action
These (6) required documented procedures were a great start and
are included in almost every standard, including API Spec Q2.
API Spec Q2 provides organizations with another nineteen (19)
mandatory procedures

6. API Q2
API Q2 additional mandatory procedures:
1. Personnel Competency and Training,
2. Contract Review,
3. Risk Assessment and Management,
4. Design and Development Planning,
5. Contingency Planning,
6. Purchasing Control,
7. Verification of Purchased Services and Equipment,
8. Control of Service Execution, (Service Quality Plans etc)
9. Identification and Traceability,
10. Equipment Status,
11. Customer Property,
12. Preservation of Service Related Product,

7. API Q2
Cont.....
13. Preventive Maintenance of Equipment,
14. Control of Testing, Measuring, Monitoring and
Detection Equipment,
15. Service Performance Validation,
16. Management of Change,
17. Customer Satisfaction,
18. Analysis of Data,
19. Continual Improvement.

8. How is API Q2 Different
ISO 9001, ISO 29001 & API Q1
• Process Based Management System
API Q2
• Process Based Management System
• Risk Based Management System
Leadership
Risk
Planning
ControllingManaging
Suppliers
Informing

9. API Q2 Enhancements
• Exclusions
• Risk Management
• Service Designs
• Supply Chain Controls
• Service Quality Plans
• Validation
• Management of Change

10. Exclusions
•Service Providers who provide or use Service
Related Product (SRP) in the course of their service
execution are not permitted to take exclusions to
API Q2
Service Related Product:
“Materials, Equipment, and Software
used in the execution of a Service”

11. R
IS
K
M
A
N
A
G
E
M
E
N
T
Critical to Safety
Critical to Quality
Critical to Environment
Work Instruction
Process MapCompetencies
Risk Identification

12. Planning Inputs Outputs Verification Review Validation
Design and Development
Verification
Service Related Product
SRP Configuration
Service Quality Plan
Customer Specified Req.
Legal Requirements
Operating Conditions
Risk Assessment Controls
Controls for Service Execution
Critical SRP
Service Execution
Validation
NPT
Safety Performance
Contractual Requirements
Service Execution
SRP Performance
SQP Compliance

13. Contingency Planning
• Different than Emergency & Disaster Planning covered under ISO 14001,
OHSAS 18001, ISM Codes and other Industry standards
• Service Disruption Prevention
Historical Data
Reliability Data
Environmental and Well Conditions
• Mitigations Measures
Critical Spares
Included in the Service Quality Plan
• Contingency Planning Outputs
• Controls for Assessed Risk
• Actions to mitigate Service Disruptions
• Internal & External Communication
Suppliers
Service
Provider
Customer

14. Supply Chain Controls
Supplier
Sourcing
Supplier
Classification
Supplier
Qualification
Supplier
Evaluation
• Determine Critical Services and SRP
Identify Critical Suppliers
• Qualification of Critical Suppliers
Onsite Assessment
Verification that suppliers QMS conforms to Service
Providers Quality Requirements

15. Service Quality Plans
• Specific to the Customer and the Service that is being performed
• Identifies and outlines controls for Suppliers/Subcontractors that will
execute services
• Identifies Specific SRP needed for the execution of the Service
• Identifies the Risks and Mitigation Controls
• Identifies Competencies and Key & Essential personnel
• Identifies QC and QA to include Tests for
Startup
Service Execution
Shutdown
• Communicated to the Customer
• Changes to a SQP must go through MOC

16. Validation
Service Related Product
Validated prior to Execution
of Service
Includes:
• SRP Configurations
• QC activities required to
ensure SRP Reliability
Service Performance
• Validated throughout
execution
• Upon completion
• Confirm all requirements
(KPIs, critical success
factors and acceptance
criteria) were achieved
Must maintain records of
performance and validation
Identify the person(s) for the
Service Provider who are
accepting the results

17. M
A
N
A
G
E
M
E
N
T
O
F
C
H
A
N
G
E
Change in
Personnel &
Suppliers
Process
Execution
Changes
Management
System Changes
SRP & Design
Changes
Customer
Notification
Risk Assessment
Management of
Change

18. What API Q2 IS NOT
• It is not a manual with new buzz words that you present to
your customers.
• It is not a cross reference between your management
system and your customers or to the API Q2 Standard.
• It is not a template that you fill in and claim compliance.
• It is about Service Quality and Risk Mitigation supported
by metrics and actual service provider performance.

19. Challenges
• Q2 Comprehension and Application
• Transitioning from a process‐based to a risk‐
based management system
• Integrating new requirements into existing
competencies
• Global Supply Chain
• Geographical & Cultural Differences

20. What’s Next for API Q2
• API Q2 Standard Published
• API Q2 Guidance Document
• API Q2 Beta Testing
• API Q2 Audit Protocols
• API Q2 Certifications