ISO 15926
ISO 15926 is an international standard for integration of life-cycle data for process plants including oil and gas production facilities. It aims to provide a common language and framework for representing and exchanging information about these facilities throughout their entire lifecycle, from initial design and construction through operation and maintenance, decommissioning, and demolition.
The standard is structured around a foundational ontology, primarily the Reference Data Library (RDL), which defines the core concepts, relationships, and attributes used to describe process plants. This ontology is based on a formal, computer-interpretable model that enables consistent data sharing and integration across different software applications and organizations.
ISO 15926 focuses on creating interoperability by standardizing the meaning of data, rather than just its format. This allows different systems, even those from different vendors, to understand and process information correctly, regardless of how it was originally created.
The standard is divided into multiple parts, each addressing a specific aspect of life-cycle data integration. Key parts include:
- Part 2: Data model (now replaced by Part 14) – Defines the fundamental data model for representing information about process plants.
- Part 3: Reference data – Describes the principles for developing and managing the Reference Data Library (RDL).
- Part 7: Implementation methods – Provides guidance on implementing ISO 15926 in real-world projects.
- Part 8: Access to the RDL - Defines standards for how to access and query the RDL.
- Part 14: Spatial representation - Provides a way to represent physical objects and their spatial relationships.
The benefits of implementing ISO 15926 include improved data quality, reduced errors and rework, better decision-making, and increased efficiency throughout the plant's life-cycle. It facilitates collaboration among different stakeholders, such as engineers, operators, and maintenance personnel, by providing a common understanding of the plant's data.