| Feature | International Code (e.g., ASME, API) | Shell DEP | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Consensus standard | Proprietary company standard | | Stringency | Minimum legal/industry baseline | Higher, risk-based requirements | | Corrosion Allowance | Often 1.5 – 3 mm | Typically 3 – 6 mm (depending on service) | | Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) | Random spot checks may suffice | 100% radiography on critical welds | | Material Impact Testing | -29°C often acceptable | -46°C or lower for many services | | Documentation | Standard MTRs | Full traceability + VDDR + 3rd party witness |
For third-party companies, "DEP Compliance" is often a prerequisite for bidding on contracts. shell dep standards