Wireline Issue 46 - Autumn 2019

Oilfield service companies and the supply chain alike are signalling their confidence in the UK, as evidenced by a string of multi-million pound investment programmes. Wireline explores the significance of some of these new world-leading facilities. Growing places

T he evidence suggests companies are thinking big when it comes to bolstering their UK capabilities to support customers internationally. Two major investment programmes completed in Scotland in recent months exemplify how organisations are not only identifying new ways to help energy operators address modern-day challenges and opportunities — but are committed to acting and investing to make it happen. These investments, however, are about more than just infrastructure. Highly skilled employees, technological advances, public sector partnerships, and positive local community relationships are all part of the equation for businesses which commit to new, long-term operations in the UK. “It’s not just about the buildings — it’s about our great partnership with the Scottish government, our links with the local community, and our people that work with us,” says Baker Hughes vice-president of oilfield equipment global supply chain Rich Morin. The company opened a new £31 million enhanced centre of excellence (CoE) facility in Montrose earlier this year to support engineering, test and assembly services and advances in deepwater technology. “Investment is one thing, but at the heart of any operation is the people. We have world-class people, and everyone works together to drive solutions,” he continues. Meanwhile, TÜV SÜD National Engineering Laboratory officially opened a new £16 million Advanced Multiphase Facility (AMF) in October at the company’s site in East Kilbride. With a test range beyond anything currently available in the world, the high-pressure, high-flow rate AMF is a globally significant project and marks the largest capital investment to date by German-based TÜV SÜD in its UK business. “The investment is seeing us bring even more high- calibre people on board and represents a positive endorsement of the existing capabilities here,” says head of infrastructure Muir Porter, who led the development project. The AMF’s capabilities allow for the development, testing and verification of multiphase flow components in real-life operating conditions and with full-scale flows. Muir says its capabilities will underpin the effective performance of flow technologies in

conditions with high operating pressures and flow rates — and therefore support the production objectives of operators in extreme, deepwater environments. Possible functions include reviewing the performance of flow meters, the development of measurement technologies and advanced modelling of everything from multiphase to wet gas conditions, remote testing and new flow imagery. “Those kinds of issues call for a very highperformance facility with a broad range of process flows,” he adds. “There are a number of flow facilities at present, including our existing multiphase flow facility which operates at a lower pressure. Those have served the industry well, but over the years our understanding of multiphase flow and the associated technology have moved on.” Although the industry is very much global, the challenges posed by UK developments and the strategic demands of the basin have also spurred interest in the AMF and its capabilities. “Maximising economic recovery, and the demand for solutions which realise that, is one of the big drivers behind the investment,” Muir continues. Scottish Enterprise supported the AMF development with £4.9million of research and development funding, alongside £11.1 million of investment by TÜV SÜDNational Engineering Laboratory’s parent company. “It’s the hub of our network within subsea and offshore as well as within our services footprint, and it partners with other sites around the world.”

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