New speciality sample cyclinders will enable offshore chemists to transport samples containing mercury and hydrogen.
The new cylinders have been developed by Aberdeen-based Intertek with the aim of reducing costs and improving their environmental capability.
Sample cylinders are used by offshore chemists to transport live crude, gas and water samples from offshore to onshore laboratories for testing.
Intertek has invested £180,000 in 200 high-pressure cylinders with 50 of those specially coated to allow the safe and effective transportation of samples containing mercury and hydrogen sulphide.
Both elements can adhere to the internal surfaces of standard stainless steel cylinders, rendering analysis unreliable.
A heightened awareness of the impact these have on the environment and platform infrastructure, legislation and specifications have become stricter, with allowable levels being reduced over time.
This has led to an increase in analysis services and a higher demand from clients for these kinds of cylinders.
Doug Finnie, Operations Manager for Intertek Exploration and Production, said: “All platforms must undertake sampling and analysis for many different reasons. For example, installations individually monitor their own contaminants, discharges and emissions.
“We previously rented cylinders from third parties on the clients’ behalf, but handling these in-house means now we can add value to the service and create cost savings for clients. For some of our customers, we believe that this could be tens of thousands of pounds per year.”