An Aberdeen firm specialising in the nascent light well intervention sector of the subsea technology market has been singled out by experts for its innovation.
Subsea Technologies Limited (STL) yesterday welcomed judges from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IME) after it was shortlisted for its prestigious Engineers’ Manufacturing Excellence Awards. The judges were joined on the site visit by Lord Provost George Adam.
Of the 21 finalists in all categories, STL is the only firm based in Scotland and one of two operating in the global oil and gas sector.
The firm’s founder, Drummond Lawson, said the rigorous judging process would help raise the 4.5 year old firm’s profile – particularly in recruitment, where the company competes against much larger rivals for mature engineering talent.
Mr Lawson said: “At STL, we regularly find it difficult to recruit the engineering talent we require.
“The skills gap is a very real issue for our business and greater awareness of the sector as a whole, across a wider geographical area and multiple demographics, could help to alleviate this.”
The company employs 40 people at its site at East Tullos. It has developed two light well intervention devices which are used in later stages in the life of the well, enabling increased oil recovery.
The company said one of its devices, the Xtreme Release (XR) Connector, could eventually be made on a much larger scale to increase safety at the wellhead.
Mr Lawson said: “The XR Connector has been identified to have the potential to reduce the impact of another Macondo.”
But for now the company is focusing on developing tools which cut costs for firms extending the life of wells.
He added: “The well intervention market is relatively under-served and relatively undeveloped.”
The firm currently sells its produces in the Gulf of Mexico, the North Sea and Malaysia.
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