DNV develops Reference Data System for ISO 15926 POSC Caesar

For this purpose, DNV has been an active contributor to product model standardization since the early 1990s, including ISO 10303 STEP and ISO 15926 POSC Caesar.

The purpose of ISO 15926 is to facilitate integration of data to support the lifecycle activities and processes of oil and gas production facilities. The standard specifies a Data Model (DM) with entity types that can support all disciplines and life cycle stages, and a Reference Data Library (RDL) with instantiated entity classes that describe a wide range of standard equipment, systems, processes, operations and activities.

These RDL classes will serve as a standard reference catalog for the harmonization and exchange of data between project participants and business partners throughout the lifecycle of a product. The RDL is made available through a Reference Data System (RDS) with interfaces for both browsing and editing reference data classes.

In the autumn of 2005, DNV contracted with EPM Technology to build the next generation RDS, based on EPMT’s EXPRESS Data Manager™ product, with a purpose-built representation of the ISO 15926 DM. The new RDS will be able to represent all parts of the Data Model, and instantiate classes from any of its more than 200 entity types. The functionality of the RDS includes an RDS Browser for viewing reference data (classes and their various attributes, properties and relations), and an RDS Editor for adding, modifying and deleting reference data.

As a service to the oil and gas industry, and any others that may be interested, the RDS Browser and Editor will be available on the Internet. They will also have converters from / to several external formats including CSV, Express and XML files.

Early versions of the RDS Browser have already been loaded with a core set of more than 17 thousand ISO 15926 reference data classes, and are being tested for accuracy and consistency. Development of the RDS Editor is currently taking place, and the complete system is scheduled for initial release in spring 2006. The goal of DNV’s Information Quality Management is that this RDS will become the definitive master source of data in all ISO 15926 RDLs.