Scotland’s new dedicated facility to undertake fundamental materials testing and development for the oil and gas sector is being opened today (Thursday, November 22, at 2.30pm). The University of Aberdeen’s new Scottish Offshore Materials Centre (SOMC), will be opened by Principal C Duncan Rice, with over 100 distinguished guests and colleagues from the oil and gas community attending.
The focal point of the Scottish Offshore Materials Centre, jointly run by the University’s Engineering and Chemistry Departments, will be a high pressure, high temperature (HPHT) facility based in the Engineering Department. Its aim is to service the materials characterisation needs of all sectors of the oil and gas industry. Project managed by Professor Howard Chandler, Department of Engineering, and Professor Corrie Imrie, Department of Chemistry, it will allow the testing of industrial materials, including sealing elements, components of downhole tools and rock samples at temperatures up to 250 degrees Celsius and pressure of 2,000 atmospheres.
SOMC is warmly welcomed by Principal C Duncan Rice. “I am delighted that the University is continuing its active support for the oil and gas sector. I am proud that the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC) have recognised the importance of our contribution to the oil industry, a vital part of the region we serve. The project is very much a partnership between the University and the industry and harnesses the strengths of the University’s departments of Engineering and Chemistry.
“I encourage companies to work with us to use and develop this exciting new facility here on our doorstep in Aberdeen,” he said.
The Centre has been made possible from a £775,000 grant in 1999 from SHEFC to staff and equip new laboratories which would underpin the engineering materials technology of the offshore oil and gas industry in the 21st century.
The Centre has been welcomed enthusiastically by local oil and gas companies and the HPHT laboratories are supported by extensive chemical, mechanical and geological expertise and facilities.
Professor Chandler added: “An integral part of SOMC is a multi-disciplinary research team that combines the technical expertise of the departments of Engineering and Chemistry. The Centre can provide mechanical testing, extensive chemical analysis facilities and consultancy services, including finite element analysis and design solutions to the oil and gas sector.
“SOMC welcomes research and development programmes of all types, ranging from large-scale international collaborative projects to short-term consultancy and testing for individual companies. Indeed, SOMC has already worked with a number of local offshore supply companies to meet their materials design and selection needs.”
SOMC will act as a catalyst for future research activity of the University. The capability of reproducing the HPHT environment, typical of many deep oil and gas wells for conducting fundamental research into the mechanical and fracture behaviour of materials and components in conditions which are representative of their operating environment.
For further information contact: Angela Begg, Media Relations, on: (01224) 272960; or
Dr Robin Henderson, Department of Engineering, on: (01224) 272820.
The programme for the launch today (Thursday, November 22) is:
2.30pm Reception in the Fraser Noble Building, King’s College, Aberdeen
3.00pm Official opening by Principal C Duncan Rice
Lecture Theatre 2, Fraser Noble Building
3.15pm Technical overview of the facilities
Lecture Theatre 2, Fraser Noble Building
3.30pm Tour the facilities in the Engineering and Chemistry Departments
Depart from Fraser Noble Building Foyer
4.00pm The role of HPHT in the future of the North Sea – Professor Alex Kemp
Lecture Theatre 2, Fraser Noble Building
Photographers and reporters are welcome to attend the opening of the Scottish Offshore Materials Centre. Car parking spaces have been reserved in front of the Fraser Noble Building, University of Aberdeen. Please confirm your attendance to Angela Begg on: (01224) 272960 or mobile: 07773 358962.
Issued by Public Relations Office, External Relations, University of Aberdeen, King's College, Aberdeen. Tel: (01224) 272014 Fax: (01224) 272086.
University Press Office on telephone +44 (0)1224-273778 or email a.ramsay@admin.abdn.ac.uk.