Normally Unattended Facilities Expert Group Advances Key Initiatives  

Earlier this year, the Normally Unattended Facilities (NUF) Expert Group within the Standards Committee held a workshop to launch the development of a comprehensive NUF guideline, the latest of the group’s key milestones towards standardization.

The IOGP NUF Expert Group’s purpose is to promote Normally Unattended Facilities (NUF) as an industry collaboration effort, by addressing encumbrances in codes, standards and regulations as well as encouraging technology development initiatives that could enable this new operating philosophy. Ultimately, positioning NUF as a safe, cost-effective, widely accepted design and operation method for oil & gas facilities.

The Expert Group’s current focus is to develop and deploy a Joint NUF Guideline with the Energy Institute as well as create three detailed functional guidelines.

The launch of the Joint NUF Guideline initiative was marked with a 2-day workshop at the IOGP London Office and online in February to finalize the scope of the guideline. By establishing these guidelines, the NUF Expert Group aims to mitigate risks, enhance safety, and optimize reliability, availability and production efficiency related to normally unattended facilities. These guidelines will establish best practices, propose minimum functionalities and performance criteria while facilitating innovation and technology adoption.

During 2025, the NUF Expert Group achieved several key milestones in their ongoing efforts.:

• Joint IOGP/Energy Institute NUF Guideline: A successful framing workshop was held in collaboration with the Energy Institute in February 2025. The Joint Team is currently seeking out technical writers for the next phase of the guideline.
• IOGP Functional Guideline for Onshore Robotic Aboveground Storage Tank (AST) Inspection: Currently, awaiting Standards Committee Approval for publication.
• IOGP Functional Guideline for Offshore Robotic Storage Tank Inspection: Under development by NUF Robotic Tank Inspection Project Group with a projected publication date in first Quarter 2026.
• IOGP Functional Guideline for NUF Gas Turbine Generators Under development by NUF GTG Project Group with a projected publication date by the end 2026. Invitations to gas turbine suppliers and related IOGP subcommittees to gather additional input are planned for the second half of 2025.
• NUF Project Map: IOGP has developed a NUF Project Interactive Map which provides project details and references.

The NUF Expert Group is comprised of representatives from leading companies such as Chevron, Petrobras, Shell, ExxonMobil, Eni, Petronas, BP, Equinor, Woodside and TotalEnergies. It is committed to advancing industry standards through collaboration and innovation.

The group’s efforts in developing comprehensive guidelines and engaging with third-party contributors are pivotal in driving progress within the industry. Any interested IOGP Members not currently involved can contact Kan Sze Wei (ksw@iogp.org) to join the group and for further information.