What happened to FPAL? Understanding Achilles Global Energy.

Achilles FPAL no longer operates as a standalone supplier network. FPAL and JQS were brought together within Achilles Oil and Gas Europe, creating a combined supply chain network for the UK, Nordic countries and Europe. The network has since evolved into Achilles Global Energy, covering oil, gas and the wider energy sector.

Does Achilles FPAL still exist?

If your business has worked in the UK oil and gas industry for some time, you may be familiar with Achilles FPAL. You may also still encounter references to FPAL in older documents, procurement requirements or conversations with customers.

However, FPAL is no longer the name of the current Achilles supplier network. FPAL and Achilles JQS were brought together as part of Achilles Oil and Gas Europe, combining the two established supplier communities into a wider European oil and gas network.

That network subsequently evolved into the Achilles Global Energy Network, reflecting changes within the energy industry and the broader range of organisations and supply chains it serves today.

So, if you’re searching for FPAL accreditation now, Achilles Global Energy is the current network you are likely to need to investigate.

What was Achilles FPAL?

FPAL was an established supplier pre-qualification community associated particularly with the UK oil and gas industry.

It provided buyers with information about suppliers and gave suppliers a recognised way to demonstrate their credentials to organisations operating within the sector.

Achilles also operated JQS, which served oil and gas supply chains in Norway and Denmark.

As the industry and its supply chains became increasingly interconnected, Achilles brought the two communities together within its Oil and Gas Europe network.

The objective was to create a broader network through which buyers and suppliers could connect across the UK, Nordic countries and Europe.

What did Achilles FPAL become?

It’s tempting to describe the change simply as FPAL being renamed Global Energy, but the history is slightly more complicated. FPAL and JQS were separate Achilles supplier communities.

They were brought together within Achilles Oil and Gas Europe, creating a combined network rather than simply renaming FPAL. As the scope of the energy sector continued to develop, Achilles moved from the Oil and Gas Europe identity to its current Global Energy Network.

The simplest way to think about the progression is:

Achilles FPAL + Achilles JQS → Achilles Oil and Gas Europe → Achilles Global Energy

For businesses that previously knew Achilles through FPAL, Global Energy is therefore the relevant current network.

What is Achilles Global Energy?

Achilles Global Energy is a supplier network designed for organisations operating across the energy sector. It connects buyers with pre-qualified suppliers and provides tools for supplier assessment, validation, auditing and ongoing supply chain risk management.

For suppliers, participation provides a way to demonstrate their credentials and become visible to organisations using the network.

For buyers, it provides validated supplier information and greater visibility of risks across their supply chains.

The current Global Energy Network operates internationally rather than being limited to the geographic markets historically associated with FPAL.

We’ve covered the full scheme — subscription levels, audit requirements and how JVR can help — on our Achilles Global Energy Network page.

Is Achilles Global Energy just for oil and gas?

No. Oil and gas remain an important part of Global Energy, and the network continues to support the particular risk, compliance and contractor-management requirements associated with the sector.

However, the Global Energy Network reflects a wider energy market.

The move away from the Oil and Gas Europe nomenclature reflects an energy landscape that increasingly encompasses a broader range of technologies, suppliers and energy infrastructure.

This means businesses familiar with FPAL should not assume that Global Energy is simply the same UK oil and gas supplier scheme under a different name. It sits within a wider international energy supplier and buyer network.

Why do energy buyers use Achilles Global Energy?

Energy supply chains can be complex and international, with buyers relying on large numbers of contractors and suppliers undertaking work with very different risk profiles.

Pre-qualification helps buyers understand the organisations they may bring into those supply chains.

Achilles Global Energy provides supplier information and assessment that can support buyers in areas including:

• Health, safety and environmental performance
• Supplier and contractor risk
• Financial information
• Sustainability and ESG
• Cyber security
• Compliance
• Supply chain transparency

The level of assurance required can vary according to the supplier, the work being undertaken and its risk profile.

This is one reason supplier pre-qualification has evolved beyond simply collecting company details and certificates.

What is IOGP 423 and why is it relevant to energy suppliers?

IOGP 423 provides HSE management guidance for organisations working with contractors in the oil and gas industry.

Achilles Global Energy incorporates assessment of health, safety and environmental management arrangements, with Achilles referencing IOGP 423 within its guidance for the energy sector.

For suppliers, this means recognised industry HSE expectations can form part of the wider picture when demonstrating their management arrangements and approach to risk.

For former FPAL suppliers, it is another reminder that supplier assurance requirements continue to evolve alongside buyer expectations and industry standards.

Does every Global Energy supplier need an audit?

No.

Whether an Achilles Global Energy audit is required depends on factors including the products and services a business provides and their risk classification.

Achilles uses product codes and risk profiling to determine where additional assessment is required. Certain critical product codes can result in a requirement for a desktop audit, while on-site auditing provides a higher level of independent assurance.

Businesses should therefore establish the requirements that apply to their own activities rather than assuming every Global Energy supplier follows an identical assessment route.

If we used to need FPAL, do we now need Global Energy?

Potentially, but the requirement should always be checked with the relevant buyer.

If an older contract, internal document or procurement requirement refers to FPAL, it is sensible to establish what the organisation requires under the current Achilles structure.

Supplier requirements can depend on the buyer, the work being undertaken and its risk profile.

If your business has simply been told it needs “FPAL”, don’t assume that an old registration process still applies. Clarify the current requirement and determine what level of Global Energy supplier assurance is expected.

What should former FPAL suppliers do now?

If you’re returning to an Achilles requirement after several years, start by establishing exactly what your customer is asking for today.

The current Global Energy Network has evolved beyond the former FPAL structure, and the requirements applicable to your business will depend on factors including your products and services, risk profile and buyer expectations.

If you know that Achilles Global Energy is now required, the next step is to establish the appropriate membership and assessment requirements and review whether your existing management systems and supporting evidence are sufficient.

JVR Consultancy can help with this process without unnecessarily recreating systems or documentation your organisation already has.

Need help with Achilles Global Energy?

JVR Consultancy supports suppliers with Achilles Global Energy requirements, from understanding the appropriate membership level and reviewing existing management systems to identifying gaps and preparing for assessment where required.

If you’ve encountered an old FPAL requirement and aren’t sure what your organisation needs today, we can also help establish the current position.

Learn more about our Achilles Global Energy accreditation support.