Global testing, mechanical and materials firm Exova said yesterday it had won a contract extension with Maersk Oil, which it has been working with on the North Sea Culzean project since last year.
The additional work involves materials qualification testing and follows work carried out on downhole equipment on Culzean, which is is one of the largest North Sea gas discoveries of recent years.
Exova, which opened a new laboratory at the ABZ business park in Aberdeen last year, said: “In addition to bespoke materials qualification testing, the new contract also sees Exova provide two sets of electrochemical corrosion tests as well as a programme of galvanically-induced hydrogen stress cracking tests.
Helene Jones, general manager at the Exova corrosion centre in Dudley, added: “We are proud to extend our relationship with Maersk Oil.
“We are well-placed to meet its requirements.”
The total investment for the ultra-high pressure/high temperature Culzean project is expected to be in excess of £3billion.
The central North Sea field was discovered in 2008, with further appraisal work taking place between 2009 and 2011.
If successfully developed by Maersk and its partners, it could provide around 5% of the UK’s total gas consumption by 2020/21. First gas from the project is expected in 2019.