API INSPECTION SERVICES — SAUDI ARABIA
Remote WPS/PQR document review and on-site source inspection for equipment fabricated to ASME and Saudi Aramco standards. Pressure vessels, piping, and heat exchangers for Aramco, SABIC, and Saudi industrial operators.
Why Saudi Arabia Projects Require Independent TPI
Saudi Arabia’s oil and gas sector — led by Saudi Aramco, SABIC, and a network of downstream operators — sources pressure vessels, heat exchangers, and piping systems from fabricators both within the Kingdom and internationally. Equipment entering Aramco or SABIC facilities must comply with ASME Section VIII and B31.3 as the fabrication codes, with Saudi Aramco’s SAES and SATIP specifications overlaying those base requirements.
The gap between a fabricator holding an ASME U-stamp and actually executing fabrication to code is not closed by the stamp itself. The U-stamp authorizes the shop to build. Independent third-party inspection verifies that each vessel was actually built to code — that the WPS matched the production weld, that the MTR was verified before the material was cut, that NDE was performed and recorded correctly, and that all hold points were satisfied.
For Canadian and international operators procuring equipment for Saudi projects, Norman QC provides the North American QA layer: remote document review from Edmonton and on-site source inspection at Saudi or international fabrication facilities supplying the project.
What Norman QC Provides
Remote Document Review
- -WPS and PQR review against ASME Section IX
- -ITP review incorporating SAES/SATIP hold point requirements
- -MTR verification against material specification
- -NDE procedure and record review
- -ASME data report review (U1 form)
On-Site Source Inspection
- -Material traceability verification before cutting and welding
- -Dimensional inspection against approved drawings
- -Weld observation and NDE hold point sign-off
- -PWHT record review and hardness verification
- -Pre-shipment inspection and shipping release
Applicable Standards
| Code | Application |
|---|---|
| ASME Section VIII Div.1 / Div.2 | Pressure vessel fabrication code |
| ASME B31.3 | Process piping code |
| ASME Section IX | Welding procedure and welder qualification |
| SAES (Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards) | Operator-specific requirements for Aramco projects |
| SATIP (Saudi Aramco Technical Inspection Procedures) | Hold point and documentation requirements for Aramco inspection |
Key Facilities and Supply Chain
Saudi Arabia’s primary ASME-authorized pressure equipment fabricators are concentrated in Jubail Industrial City on the Arabian Gulf coast and Yanbu Industrial City on the Red Sea coast — the two designated industrial cities for Saudi petrochemical and refining infrastructure. Notable fabricators serving the Aramco and SABIC supply chain include Zamil Process Equipment Company in Jubail and a range of Aramco-approved shops operating under ASME U-stamp authority. For equipment fabricated outside Saudi Arabia and destined for Saudi projects, source inspection is performed at the fabrication location — India, China, Korea, or UAE — with documentation reviewed against the applicable SAES/SATIP requirements.
How It Works
Remote Document Review
WPS/PQR, ITP, and MTR packages reviewed against ASME codes and applicable SAES/SATIP requirements. Comments issued. Documents approved before fabrication begins.
On-Site Hold Point Visits
Focused site visits at critical hold points: material traceability, mid-fabrication dimensional checks, NDE sign-off. Each visit produces a signed inspection report.
Reports and Shipping Release
Signed PDF reports at each stage. Pre-shipment inspection and shipping release as the final deliverable. Complete report package for client QC records.
FAQ
What is the difference between ASME compliance and Aramco SATIP compliance?
ASME Section VIII and B31.3 are the fabrication codes — they define how the vessel or pipe must be built. SATIP (Saudi Aramco Technical Inspection Procedures) overlays those codes with Aramco-specific inspection requirements, hold point designations, and documentation formats. A vessel can be built to ASME VIII and still not satisfy SATIP requirements if the inspection documentation and hold point sequence does not follow the Aramco procedure. Norman QC reviews WPS/PQR packages against both the base ASME code and any applicable SAES or SATIP requirements specified by the client.
What documents does NormanQC review for Saudi-destined equipment?
The standard document review package includes: WPS and PQR files reviewed against ASME Section IX, the fabricator's ITP reviewed against the purchase order and applicable SAES/SATIP requirements, mill test reports for all pressure boundary materials, NDE procedures, and heat treatment records if PWHT is required. Where Saudi Aramco specifications are referenced in the purchase order, those requirements are incorporated into the review.
How are hold point sign-offs handled for Saudi projects?
Hold point sign-offs are issued as written inspection reports at each completed hold point. The report identifies the hold point, the inspection activities performed, the results, any non-conformances issued, and the inspector's signature and certification references. For Aramco-specified hold points, the report format is aligned with the applicable SATIP documentation requirements. Reports are delivered as signed PDFs to the client.
Can NormanQC coordinate inspection at fabrication facilities across Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Norman QC coordinates on-site source inspection at fabrication facilities in Saudi Arabia's industrial cities including Jubail Industrial City and Yanbu Industrial City, which are the primary locations for ASME-authorized pressure equipment fabrication serving the Saudi oil and gas sector.
What certifications does NormanQC hold that are relevant to Saudi Arabia projects?
Norman QC holds API 510 (pressure vessel inspection), API 570 (piping inspection), and CWB Level 2 (welding inspection) certifications. These are the North American credentials that validate the inspector's authority to review and sign off on ASME and API-standard fabrication — the same standards required by Saudi Aramco and SABIC for equipment entering their facilities.
WORKING ON A SAUDI ARABIA PROJECT?
Contact for scope and availability. Remote document review can begin immediately. On-site source inspection coordinated with fabrication schedule.