Understanding the parameters and requirements of an approved manufacturers list (AML), is an endeavor many valve manufacturers, suppliers, and end users dedicate a significant amount of time to. The ability to develop a comprehensive grasp of the processes involved can make all the difference between being accepted or rejected from one such list. Trace Scrivner, Principal Engineer, Piping & Valves for ExxonMobil, has spent the better part of his dynamic career learning these processes.
In Part One of this article, Valve World Americas had the great pleasure of speaking with Scrivner, to discuss his career at ExxonMobil, share the insights he has gained through his experience, and the importance of dedicating time to truly understanding why specific industry decisions are made.
By KCI Editorial
Background and Career
Scrivner began his journey with the ExxonMobil team in 1998 after the completion of his BSME from Mississippi State University. At this time, Exxon had yet to merge with Mobil, though it was announced a mere few months later. Although his specific responsibilities have evolved, Scrivner has worked at ExxonMobil throughout the entirety of his ongoing career and supported downstream manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
“I spent seven years in Baytown, TX, supporting our U.S. refineries, then roughly two and a half years in Fairfax, VA, at our central engineering office, then back to Baytown for a while. I also spent time in Louisiana, Southern England, Europe, and up in Calgary supporting our Canadian sites,” relayed Scrivner.
In 2017, his focus transitioned into a global support role as an ExxonMobil Research and Engineering (EMRE) Downstream Piping and Valves Principal Engineer. He then relocated from Calgary to the Central Engineering office in Spring, TX in 2019, where he remains today.
In 2022, ExxonMobil aligned its business to leverage the corporation’s scale, integration, technology advantages, and the skills and capabilities of its workforce. The company combined its upstream and downstream support organizations, creating ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company (EMTEC). This changed Scrivner’s role to EMTEC Piping and Valves Principal Engineer. Although many of his responsibilities remained the same, the role became more involved and added a series of new responsibilities.
“In my current role, my responsibilities range from piping and valve troubleshooting, and technical support, such as piping flexibility, stress analysis, fitness for service, repair, and maintenance, to new technology identification, development, and deployment for piping and valves. One of my largest tasks is the ownership and maintenance of piping and valve company standards, including the AML.”
An Insight into the Approved Manufacturers List
The ExxonMobil AML is updated twice a year, in April and October, and is comprised of approximately 85 categories of approved suppliers for piping, valves, flanges, fittings, gaskets, and fasteners.
“We use our AML to mitigate risk and ensure a minimum level of quality and reliability of the piping components we purchase. Because manufacturing quality can vary between facilities, even from the same company, our AML approvals are location specific.”
Before beginning the approval process, we first consider the potential benefit of adding a manufacturer to a given category. If we do see a potential benefit, then the approval process begins with the collection of data through survey questionnaires and an initial ‘desktop review’ of the documentation. The results of the desktop review are then used to determine whether to proceed with an audit, and if so, on what priority. “Historically, all of our audits have been in person. However, in some cases, we do consider virtual audits as an acceptable alternative, which is something we have adapted to since COVID-19,” explained Scrivner.
The typical goal of an audit is to infer the quality of the final product, based on the processes observed during the audit. “However, for valves, we often have the opportunity to measure that quality directly,” said Scrivner. “As valves are commodity items (design one, build many), manufacturers can have a valve design destructively tested by a third party to API RP 591 standard. The results of that testing can then be supplied to end users as documentation of valve design and manufacturing quality.”
For ExxonMobil, the approval is based not only on the company but also on the specific manufacturing location. “This requirement may be overlooked or misunderstood in the industry,” stated Scrivner. “When we approve a manufacturer for the AML, it is the specific location that has been approved, not necessarily the company. So, if a facility moves locations, they need to be reassessed to remain on the list.”
There are two main reasons that a company may be removed from the list. The first, as mentioned, is due to a change in location. “If a manufacturing facility is closing and moving to another area, providing as much notice as possible is crucial,” said Scrivner. Advanced notice would allow Scrivner the time to decide if the new manufacturing location fits within the AML requirements.
“There are a lot of competing priorities, so advanced notice helps reduce the time between the old facility being removed and the new facility being added,” explained Scrivner.
The second cause for removal is based on quality; if the quality of a manufactured product, customer service, or delivery, is poor and the issue is not resolved, the manufacturer or supplier in question may be temporarily placed on hold or may be removed from the list.
“We use our AML to mitigate risk and ensure a minimum level of quality and reliability of the piping components we purchase. Because manufacturing quality can vary between facilities, even from the same company, our AML approvals are location specific.”
Experiencing a Learning Curve
To understand and gain the expertise necessary to correctly assess the qualities of an AML candidate’s eligibility, Scrivner took every opportunity he had to learn from those around him.
“My predecessor, Ray Bojarczuk, was in my current role for more than 20 years. It was daunting to come in behind someone with that much experience,” stated Scrivner. “I had a significant amount to learn, and the mentoring was critical.”
Scrivner’s informal training plan began in 2007 and continued over the next ten years until Bojarczuk’s retirement. “Ray began copying me on some of his more critical emails. At the time, I did not fully appreciate the importance of some of the information I was privy to. When I look back now, I am thankful that I kept all those emails, as they helped me to establish a database of knowledge that I can refer to.”
“Earlier in my career, I had the impression that the Piping AML represented only those vendors who could meet the quality requirements set by ExxonMobil. Now, I understand that there are many qualified manufacturers not yet on the AML.”
Apart from a few overseas shop visits done together, all of Scrivner’s training was done remotely. “During the 10 years of handover, we were never in the same work location. We were focused on remote learning long before the pandemic,” chuckled Scrivner. “Coming into the role in 2017, I had 20 years of AMLs to refer to. What I did not necessarily have, was the background and context of how and why specific choices were made,” said Scrivner. “Ray and I spent a lot of time during the handover discussing the background and basis of those decisions.”
One of Scrivner’s largest takeaways from his mentor was how important history, background, and context are in the decision- making process. As there are hundreds of manufacturers to consider for the AML, I had to learn how to prioritize which additions and extensions to pursue. “Earlier in my career, had the impression that the Piping AML represented only those vendors who could meet the quality requirements set by ExxonMobil. Now, I understand that there are many qualified manufacturers not yet on the AML.”
“Also, I used to believe that the cause behind most new valve failures lay with the design or manufacturing related to the components,” Scrivner continued. “What I have learned, however, is that more than half the failures are associated with testing, modifications, handling, or transportation of the valve or application. Many of these post-manufacturing activities involve distributors, fabricators, or the end users themselves. It is important to understand the root cause of the failure before jumping to conclusions and prematurely issuing reports or quality alerts,” he cautioned.
READ PART 2 of this article in the April 2023 issue of Valve World Americas to learn about the importance of relationship building in this role, the impact of the various committees Scrivner is involved with, and his insights into the ongoing challenges faced within the industry.