Whether your company is involved in international tenders, operating in the pre-salt or managing environmental impact assessments, it is certain that you need a partner to carry out translations. You need a partner who performs highly accurate Technical Translations, which can be hard to find.
But what exactly is this service and why is it so indispensable (and risky) in the O&G sector?
UNO Traduções has prepared this complete guide for you to understand it:
- What gives engineering precision to a document in another language.
- Who the professionals really qualified to carry out this work are. After all, it is not a service carried out by just any translator.
- The difference between a technical document and a sworn document for the sector.
Follow up and ensure that your documentation is 100% compliant with ANP (Brazilian National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels), API (American Petroleum Institute), ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and IBP (Brazilian Institute of Oil, Gas and Biofuels) standards.
What is Technical Translation for the O&G sector?
The Technical Translation for Oil and Gas is the official, specialized version of an engineering, safety or regulatory document. It is the only type of translation that guarantees terminological accuracy for operational and compliance purposes in the sector.
Who can do it?
Unlike ordinary translations, this service cannot be provided by generalist translators. It requires professionals with dual competence: linguists who are also engineers, geologists or technicians with industry experience.
Do not accept risks: An error in the translation of terms such as “drill string” (coluna de perfuração) or “safety valve” (válvula de segurança) can lead to operational deviations, millions in financial losses or, in the worst-case scenario, an occupational accidents. In addition, always look for a supplier that already serves companies in the same field. We speak the offshore language!
UNO reinforces: We only work with a network of translators-engineers who are qualified and familiar with the terminology of the Upstream, Midstream and Downstream phases, guaranteeing the authenticity and operational accuracy of your document.
When is it required?
Technical Translation is an operational and regulatory requirement for documents submitted to:
- Regulatory and Certifying Bodies: ANP (Brazilian National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels), IBAMA (Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources), and for audits of standards (ISO, API, ASTM).
- Field Operations (HSE): Safety, operation and maintenance manuals for equipment on platforms and refineries.
- Engineering and Projects: Technical reports, seismic studies, downhole data, and environmental impact assessments (EIA’s).
- Tenders and Contracts: Offers (Bids/RFP’s) and Joint Venture contracts that need technical and legal precision.
Examples of Common Documents: Operation and Safety Manuals, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA’s), Engineering Technical Reports, Bids, API/ASTM Standards and Seismic Studies.
Understand the Process: Terminology Management is a Matter of Security
The real value of a translation lies in its terminological consistency (the correct use of technical terms). The O&G terminology is dense. Errors in units of measurement or technical terms can jeopardize an entire audit.
At UNO, we use a thorough protocol, with terminology banks and CAT Tools, to create customized glossaries for each client. This ensures that sector-specific terms are always translated in the same way. We guarantee total terminological consistency in long-term projects.
The Role of Sworn Translation
Technical documents for operational use (such as a safety manuals) are different from documents for legal purposes (such as a contract).
What is Sworn Translation? It is the official translation made by a Public Translator and Commercial Interpreter (TPIC, in the Portuguese acronym), which provides the document with legal validity (public faith).
Purpose: it simplifies and speeds up the recognition of contracts, powers of attorney and bidding documents by courts or international public bodies.
Who needs it: generally required for International Contracts, Joint Venture Agreements and documents that will be attached to legal or bidding processes.
Please note: many times, technical documents (such as reports) also require Sworn Translations in order to be used in a tender. At UNO, we can advise you on when each type of translation is necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions and UNO Advantages
1. VDo you sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)? Yes. This is a standard requirement for us. All O&G projects are governed by strict NDA’s and follow the information security standards (ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 17100:2017).
2. How do you guarantee the accuracy of such specific terms? Our workflow (QA) includes translation by a technical expert, the revision by a second specialist and the final validation with the client’s glossaries, guaranteeing zero ambiguity.
3. Do you translate Sustainability Reports (ESG) too? Yes. With the advance of ESG practices, we have adapted our technical vocabulary to include the terminology about environmental assessments, carbon studies and governance, in line with the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Advantages of hiring UNO Traduções:
- Global Compliance: our translations strictly meet the requirements of ANP (Brazilian National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels) and IBAMA (Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources), in addition to international certification standards (API, ASTM).
- Expert Translations: your engineering manual will be proofread by a professional in the field, not just a linguist.
- Agility and Secrecy (NDA): optimized processes for fast delivery and full compliance with the General Data Protection Act (GDPA). Your project data is safe.
- Advisory Services: Our team offers complete guidance on the entire process of translating your projects. With more than 20 years of experience in the oil and gas market, we help companies to simplify this process and save money.
Technical Translation for Oil and Gas requires maximum accuracy, regulatory compliance and operational responsibility. Hiring a professional service means ensuring that your engineering project, tender or audit is not paralyzed (or put at risk) by a terminology error.
At UNO Traduções, we make sure that the translations of all your projects meet the rigor of engineering and legal compliance, so that you can focus on your strategic objectives.
Ready to take the next step and ensure the total accuracy of your O&G documents?