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According to a Shell study, the oil and gas industry can save an equivalent of one percent of its annual expenditure by implementing International Standards.

Quoted in the ISO Bulletin, July 2001

Standards developed by EPISTLE

Overview

Several of the specifications developed by EPISTLE are submitted to ISO, through ISO TC184/SC4 "Industrial Data" for review, approval, and publication as International Standards.

The standards that are based (in whole or in part) on EPISTLE's work are as follows:

  • ISO 10303-221, a STEP Application Protocol for exchange of process plant functional data and schematics
  • ISO 15926, "Integration of life-cycle data for process plants including oil and gas production facilities"; this standard is the framework for standardization of the EPISTLE Core model and may be extended to include the EPISTLE Reference Data Library and the EPISTLE Templates
  • ISO 18876 "Integration of industrial data for exchange, access, and sharing" (IIDEAS), which is designed to support sharing and integration of data from multiple, heterogeneous sources, and interoperability between applications and organizations that implement different standards.

Background: ISO standards and STEP

ISO brings together technical experts - from industry as well as research organisations and academia - to develop international standards.

ISO 10303 (STEP) focuses on data exchange. It also covers a wide range of "products" - from printed circuit boards to cars, aircraft, ships and process plant. The needs of specific industries are met by Application Protocols. Those serving the needs of the process industries are:

  • AP221 "Functional Data and Schematic Representation for Process Plant" - dealing with the 2-D world of process design involving PIDs and datasheets
  • AP227 "Plant Spatial Configuration" - covering the 3-D world of engineering design, piping, layout etc
  • AP231 "Process Engineering Data, Process Design and Process Specifications of Major Equipment" - supporting the use of process simulation systems for conceptual design

"STEP" is also used as a "brand name" when referring to standards for managing engineering information.

E&OE. Copyright © 2001 European Process Industries STEP Technical Liaison Executive

Last modified: 2000-09-20