Rendering of the inside of the NEL Centre of Excellence for subsea development (illustration: NEL)

NEL, the flow measurement R&D specialist, has commenced the build of its GBP 16 million Centre of Excellence (CoE) for subsea development. The new high pressure multiphase flow test facility will have the largest test range in the world, positioning Scotland as a significant provider of multiphase flow measurement.

The CoE will allow a greater understanding of the impact of higher operating pressures on measurement equipment in extreme subsea environments. The testing range of the new facility includes single-phase, multiphase and dry gas, at operating pressures up to 150 bar – doubling current existing capabilities to replicate subsea production conditions. Its range and combination of operating pressures, temperatures, flowrates and metrology will be unique worldwide.

NEL already has a comprehensive range of flow testing facilities at its National Standard laboratory at their East Kilbride campus. The new CoE building will span 1,600 m², and contain a GBP 1.45 million, full production scale separator, with an operating weight of 270 tonnes.

Focussed predominantly on the GBP 50 billion per annum global subsea sector, the CoE will facilitate company-led industrial projects and product development, SME support, hands-on industry training, and academic research. Creating at least 17 new jobs and safeguarding a further 82, the centre will future-proof the delivery of innovative technical services to the oil and gas production market for the next 25 years.

Brian Millington, NEL’s Managing Director, says, “The investment in the CoE marks a significantly positive step for the global oil & gas sector, which has faced increasing challenges over recent years. This new world-leading facility will support the industry to address the crucial goal of maximising economic recovery and reducing fiscal uncertainty. Once complete, NEL will be operating the only facility to offer the full range of flow rates and high pressure capabilities.”

“Starting the building work for the CoE brings to life our mission to help industry optimise all aspects of production through accurate measurement, while supporting Scotland’s international standing within the global oil and gas sector,” concludes Millington.

Scottish Enterprise has supported the development of the Centre of Excellence with GBP 4.9 million of research and development funding.

Managing Director of Strategy and Sectors at Scottish Enterprise, Linda Hanna, says, “This is a fantastic milestone in the development of NEL’s Centre of Excellence, which will create world-leading research facilities. It will enable Scotland to maximise its competitiveness in multi-phase flow measurement, and support the sector to take further advantage of opportunities in the GBP 50 billion global subsea market, identified in Scottish Enterprise’s Subsea Engineering Action Plan. NEL is an ambitious and forward thinking organisation and we are delighted to be working closely with them to support their plans for future growth.”

NEL’s parent company, TÜV SÜD AG is investing GBP 11.1 million, alongside the grant from Scottish Enterprise. The project marks the largest capital investment to date in the company’s UK business.

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