Facility launch 'a gamechanger for oil and gas measurement'
22 Oct 2019
TÜV SÜD’s National Engineering Laboratory has announced the launch of its £16 million Advanced Multiphase Facility (AMF), which aims to help revolutionise the oil and gas industry’s measurement processes.
Announcing the news chairman of TÜV SÜD AG management board Axel Stepken, said:
“Measurement of multiphase flows is a key factor in understanding the performance of production operations and production optimisation. Together, we have created the conditions necessary for ensuring that Scotland, and with it the TÜV SÜD National Engineering Laboratory, will continue to set the pace of progress in flow measurement in the future.”
The AMF, whose construction began in September 2017, boasts a test range beyond the capability of any other laboratory in the world.
With an operating pressure of up to 140 bar, the operation in East Kilbride, Scotland doubles previous test facility capabilities and claims the highest flow rate in the world for gas and liquid in one multiphase facility.
Managing director of the National Engineering Laboratory Dr Brian Millington, explained:
“The AMF’s world-leading research facilities will support the global oil & gas industry with both current and future measurement challenges, from well optimisation to fiscal accounting. While significant production opportunities exist in extreme environments, higher operating pressures and temperatures can impact the performance of multiphase flow measurement devices.
“The AMF will increase the viability of well exploitation by helping operators to more accurately measure multiphase flow and better understand the performance of production operations in these challenging but potentially profitable environments.”
It was backed by Scottish Enterprise’s provision of £4.9 millions in research and development funding and £11.1 million from parent company TÜV SÜD AG.
