NORSOK Z-006 has been revised – here is what has actually changed

Do you work with preservation on the Norwegian Continental Shelf? Then June 2025 is a date you should note.

NORSOK Z-006 – the standard governing all preservation of equipment and systems in the Norwegian petroleum industry – has been revised for the first time since 2015. This isn't just a matter of correcting a few sentences or adjusting the wording. It has been structurally reworked, featuring new requirements, new phases, and clearer division of responsibilities throughout the project life cycle.

What does that mean for you in practice? We are going through that now.

What is NORSOK Z-006 – and who does it apply to?

NORSOK Z-006 defines principles and methods for keeping equipment and systems in "as-delivered" condition through all project phases – from engineering and the supplier phase to completion and startup. It applies to everyone involved in projects on the Norwegian Continental Shelf: suppliers, fabricators, contractors, and operators.

Simply put: if equipment is to remain unused for a period – during transport, in storage, during fabrication, or installation – it is NORSOK Z-006 that determines how it must be protected.

The big change: from 3 to 4 phases

In the 2015 version, the project life cycle was divided into three phases: engineering, supplier/fabricator phase, and maintenance phase. The new standard divides this into four explicit phases:

• Engineering
• Supplier phase
• Construction phase
• Commissioning phase

In addition, there are now separate chapters for what happens after handover to commissioning and to operation. It may sound like a formality – but in practice, it means that responsibilities are much more clearly defined throughout the entire process. Who owns the preservation responsibility when equipment arrives at the construction site? What happens at handover? This is now explicitly addressed.

This is what it means for you: Your contracts should reflect this structure. Ensure that preservation responsibility is clearly defined for each phase – and that no "no-man's land" arises between handover from the supplier and receipt at the construction site.

New section: transport and sail away

This did not exist in the 2015 version. Chapter 6 of the new standard now requires that the contractor prepares a dedicated transport protection procedure for module and topside transport – approved by the company.

That may sound obvious. But the fact that it is now an explicit chapter means that it is no longer up to the individual to evaluate whether this is necessary. It is.

This is what it means for you: If you are a contractor on a module or topside project, you need an approved procedure for the transport phase. If you do not have that, you are non-compliant.

Carrier receives specific requirements

New in 2025 is a dedicated section for carriers. It is concise, but clear: the carrier is not allowed to remove or reverse initial preservation for convenience. Under no circumstances.

The carrier is now explicitly responsible for using the supplier's documentation to define lifting and handling procedures, and for ensuring that sea-fastening and transport securing are performed in accordance with the supplier's requirements.

This is what it means for you: If you use a third-party supplier for logistics, the requirements from section 5.5.4 should be included in your contract. And the carrier should be aware of what they are actually responsible for.

Clean and Dry Building – new philosophy into the standard

The CDB philosophy (Clean and Dry Building) has been formally introduced in 2025. The contractor must now establish a CDB procedure that applies to all interior rooms and technical areas throughout the construction period – and the required quality level must be maintained right up until formal handover to the company.

This is about preventing moisture, dust, and contamination from settling in sensitive instrumentation and electrical equipment during the construction phase. Not a new concept in the industry – but new that it is an explicit requirement in the standard.

This is what it means for you: The CDB procedure is no longer something you can choose to have or not have. It must exist, and it must be followed. Include it in the project plan from day one.

VCI labeling: new requirement for date and renewal

Here is a concrete, operational change that many will notice in their daily work.

In the 2025 version, there is now a requirement that all EIT equipment (electrical, instrument, and telecom) protected with VCI must be marked with the installation date. In addition, the VCI protection must be renewed every 24 months throughout the construction period.

That means you can no longer pack equipment in VCI and forget about it. You need a system to follow up on when the VCI was installed – and when it needs to be replaced.

This is what it means for you: Ensure that your preservation program (PCS) has automatic alerts for VCI intervals. Label the equipment correctly from the start – not afterwards.

Zerust VCI capsules and packaging, which we have supplied to the Norwegian Continental Shelf for over 20 years, have a documented protection time of up to 24 months. That fits precisely into the new interval requirement.

Tightened requirements for compact flanges

In the 2015 standard, requirements for flange protection were general. In 2025, compact flanges are addressed specifically and in detail.

The protection must cover the entire flange face including the outer edge. The standard now describes a concrete sandwich solution: plywood, soft cellular rubber on the flange side, and 3 mm hard plastic on top – or a better solution approved by the company.

This is what it means for you: Simple plastic wrap over the flange is no longer enough. Check that your method for compact flanges actually meets the requirements in section 7.7 – and document it. In other words, our Rapid Soft Covers are approved for use according to NORSOK!

Humidity limit adjusted

A small but important technical change: the maximum permitted relative humidity in storage has been adjusted from 50% (2015) to 55% in the new standard – unless the supplier recommends otherwise.

This is what it means for you: Update internal procedures and checklists. And check that your PCS system is using the correct limit value.

One common form replaces three

In 2015, the standard had separate preservation registration forms for electrical (EP-01), instrument (IP-01), and mechanical (MP-01). In 2025, these have been replaced by one general form (GP-01) that covers all disciplines. EIT and mechanical have been merged into fewer checklists.

This is what it means for you: Internal templates and PCS setups must be updated. It is a practical job, but don't overdo it – the new structure is actually simpler than the old one.

What should you do now?

Short and concise:

• Review existing contracts – ensure that preservation responsibility is clear for all four phases
• Update your preservation procedures to the new structure in Z-006:2025
• Check VCI labeling routines – date on the label and 24-month renewal interval are now a requirement
• Update PCS forms from EP/IP/MP-01 to the new GP-01 structure
• Establish a CDB procedure if one does not already exist
• Create a transport protection procedure for module and topside transport

Unsure about what the changes mean for your specific project or procurement? Call us at 51 94 47 00 or send an email to post@realmarine.no – we have been supplying preservation solutions to the Norwegian Continental Shelf for over 20 years and know the requirements well.

Read more: What is VCI technology? | See our Zerust VCI products

External reference: NORSOK Z-006:2025 at Standards Norway