In the effort to reduce the number of gas leaks in the petroleum sector, the industry has implemented new training requirements for personnel working directly with hydrocarbon-bearing equipment. Certification and recertification must be completed by the end of 2011. Course centres approved by the Centre for Quality Control and Competence (PSK) offer basic certification and recertification in accordance with OLF’s industry requirements. Hytorc is one of several approved course centres.
Good Training Good Results Over the course of 2009, more than 600 people will complete Hytorc’s courses. Their main office is located just by Sola Airport, Stavanger, but the company also arranges courses across the country.
“We see that good training leads to good results. One example is the reduction of gas leaks on the Norwegian shelf. The Norwegian Oil Industry Association (OLF) has spearheaded an industry-wide collaboration to initiate a large competence boost for personnel working on hydrocarbon-bearing equipment. This has resulted in a clear reduction in the number of gas leaks on the Norwegian shelf. We are proud to have the opportunity to contribute to this collaboration,” tells Eirik Djuve, Managing Director of Hytorc Norway.
Hytorc combines practical training with interactive learning
Hytorc combines practical training with interactive learning. Course participants take an online exam and the results are logged in Trainingportal – Learning Management System.
“The good thing about this exam is that it is more than a simple test,” tells Djuve. “The idea is that course participants should also learn while taking the exam. Everyone who takes the course receives a printed handbook that can also be used as a reference work during the exam. This helps teach course participants how to find information effectively.”
Roots in the Energy Industry
Hytorc was the first company in the world to launch hydraulic torque tools.
“The American energy industry has been using our tools for decades,” tells Svein Hovland. Hovland works with courses and calibration at Hytorc. “At large power plants, good tools are crucial – they contribute to efficient job performance as well as safe and secure operations.”
Hytorc tools are used under construction of windmills
Hydraulic torque tools are widely used in the USA. In Sweden and Denmark, hydraulic torque tools are common in the oil and gas industry as well as in the nuclear power, wind power, and water power sectors, both during construction, operations, and maintenance.
Hallgeir Gustavsen, Manvir Rai (Mintra) and Svein Hovland (Hytorc)
“In Norway, most of our customers are in the oil and gas industry,” tells Hovland. “We work for every single operator company on the Norwegian shelf, and we have big jobs at onshore installations as well.”
Hovland tells that the Norwegian energy industry is also a large user of hydraulic torque tools.
“Statkfraft is one of the companies using hydraulic torque tools to operate and maintain their installations,” tells Hovland.
Challenge: The Energy Industry Has No Competence Requirements Competence requirements for hydraulic torque tools have been implemented on the Norwegian shelf, but such requirements have yet to be established for the onshore energy industry.
“We put HSE in the driver’s seat,” tells Kristin Kverneland. Kverneland is the Course and Calibration Manager at Hytorc. “When we hold courses on tool technique, it is important to establish a clear understanding of the risks associated with using the tool. I hope that the requirements now set for the oil industry will eventually also be adapted for onshore work,” concludes Kverneland.
