Kolos – your trusted partner for SDLA equipment on the Norwegian Continental Shelf

The Norwegian Continental Shelf imposes some of the world’s strictest requirements for lifting equipment and specially designed lifting accessories used in drilling and well operations (SDLA – Specially Designed Lifting Accessories). The Norwegian Offshore Safety Authority (Havtil) emphasizes that both lifting appliances and lifting accessories must be designed for the actual conditions they will operate under, and that safety must be maintained throughout the entire lifespan of the equipment. This is mandated in the Facilities Regulations § 69, which requires proper design and suitable use of all lifting equipment installed on offshore installations.

In addition, the Technical and Operational Regulations § 62 specify that all lifting operations must be planned, risk‑assessed, and carried out in a safe manner, and that the NORSOK R‑005 standard should be applied to meet the requirements for safe offshore lifting operations.

In other words: SDLA equipment offshore must not only work, it must be fully documented, traceable, verifiable, and compliant with a broad set of Norwegian and international standards.

This is where Kolos truly stands out.

D7 Certification: Proof of Technical Excellence

Kolos is one of very few accredited inspection bodies in Norway with full D7 certification. D7 covers the inspection of specially designed lifting accessories used in drilling and well operations (SDLA). Havtil’s competence framework for Module P‑3.8 requires that inspectors have extensive documented training, solid risk understanding, and technical expertise to work with this type of equipment.

D7 competence includes inspection, certification, and follow‑up of equipment such as elevators, bailers, handling tools, and running tools – all high‑risk components that play a critical role in safe well operations.

What This Means for You as an Operator or Supplier  
When you work with Kolos, you gain a partner that delivers:

✔ Accurate and complete documentation
Documentation covering materials, manufacturing, inspection, and testing throughout the entire lifecycle of the equipment, fully aligned with standards such as NORSOK R‑002 and NORSOK R‑003.
✔ Correct marking and full traceability
Marking and traceability requirements are central elements in both NORSOK standards and Havtil’s regulatory requirements for lifting equipment.
✔ Compliance‑driven inspections
As a certified D7 entity, Kolos adheres to Havtil’s competence framework and all relevant national and international standards for the inspection of SDLA equipment.
✔ Prevention of downtime and operational deviations
Properly certified SDLA equipment is essential for avoiding interruptions in drilling and well operations. Havtil’s RNNP data shows an increase in incidents related to lifting activities in drilling modules, reinforcing the need for well‑maintained and correctly inspected equipment.

Why Kolos?
When you choose Kolos, you choose more than just a supplier, you get a partner who knows the requirements, understands the operations, and delivers quality every single time.

Kolos.
The right competence.
The right certification.
The right choice for SDLA equipment offshore.

Pro tip: Exploring your SDLA options with Kolos may set your expectations higher than expected.
Good thing we’re equipped to meet them.