GLOBAL testing company Exova has invested over $600,000 in its Houston facility to help solve pipeline corrosion that is costing the global oil and gas industry millions of dollars annually. The company has also announced its plan to invest £3 million ($4.85 million) in creating a new world class corrosion centre to service increasing global demand.
The investment follows rising demand for corrosion testing which has seen Exova’s revenues at its Houston oil and gas facility grow by some 155 per cent between 2010 and 2012.
This has been driven by high levels of activity in the Gulf of Mexico and Brazil, where harsher environments are pushing materials to their operational limit, resulting in an urgent requirement for more resistant materials, and the minimisation of subsea failure risks.
Commenting on the investment, Robert Archibald, vice president, US Materials, Oil & Gas at Exova, says: “Growth in demand for our services has been prompted by increased exploration and drilling activity combined with tougher new Environmental Protection Agency legislation. This investment will see us increasing our capacity and enhancing our technical expertise to serve and exceed client requirements.”
“The corrosion market is extremely dynamic, with technically demanding requirements, and is increasingly global in its nature. Exova has an excellent reputation in sector and aim to maximise this with our continuing investment programme,” he adds.
The Houston laboratory will benefit from a 33 per cent increase in autoclave capacity which allow tests to be completed up to 600 deg F and up to 10,000 psi and two additional slow strain rate testing frames. Archibald adds: “On a global level, the investment will mean our capacity is better aligned for future growth, effectively future proofing the business. In addition, it will underscore our worldwide capabilities, enabling us to enhance our market leadership position in corrosion.”
Houston is part of a global network of Exova laboratories that includes Sandnes, Crema, Abu Dhabi and Singapore and a new $3.2 million Exova Corrosion centre of excellence in Dudley, England.
GLOBAL CORROSION CENTRE
The company has earlier announced that it plans to invest £3 million ($4.85 million) in creating a new world class corrosion centre to service increasing global demand.
The Exova Corrosion Centre, which will be based at Dudley in the UK and headed up by renowned corrosion expert Dr Chris Fowler, will cement Exova’s reputation as a world leader in corrosion testing and services.
Exova’s Corrosion Centre will relocate from its existing premises in Dudley to a new 23,000 sq ft purpose-designed facility. The current facility in Dudley will continue as a dedicated materials testing laboratory.
The new facility will deliver a significant increase in autoclave capacity, routine corrosion testing as well as Slow Rate Strain and Full Ring testing. The new facility will be fully operational by May 2013.
In addition, the investment signals the recruitment of an additional ten corrosion experts and the creation of the ‘Exova Academy’ aimed at nurturing and training future generations of corrosion engineers for Exova and on behalf of its international customers.
Ian El Mokadem, Exova’s CEO, commented on the investment. He says: “This investment demonstrates our commitment to further advance our corrosion testing and consulting capabilities. These technically demanding services give our customers the assurances they need regarding the safety and performance of materials and assets. By linking our global experts, through the Centre of Excellence, our customers can access the very best knowledge and capabilities wherever they are in the world.”
“In this year alone we have already invested over £13 million developing our capabilities to support customers worldwide, with more investments planned in the coming years. This is one of a long line of strategic investments and the Exova Corrosion Centre will significantly increase our global capacity and enhance our leadership in the corrosion field,” he adds.
“Establishing the ‘Exova Academy’ is also of major importance as this signals our commitment to help develop corrosion knowledge and expertise, while working with customers and industry partners to identify future trends and developments. Moreover, as a business we are passionate about nurturing and developing the experts of the future,” he says.
Exova is the world’s largest dedicated testing group, trusted by organisations to test and advise on the safety, quality and performance of their products and operations.
Exova operates 110 permanent facilities in 22 countries and employs more than 3,500 people throughout Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East and Asia/Asia Pacific.
PRESTIGIOUS APPOINTMENT
Meanwhile, Exova’s global director of corrosion, Dr Chris Fowler, has been elected president of the newly formed Nace Institute, a part of Nace International, the world’s largest organisation dedicated to the study of corrosion.
His appointment will run for a two year term and Fowler will lead the Institute’s activities regarding recognition programmes and public affairs projects. In addition the Institute will identify international best practices in corrosion management and ensure they are adhered to throughout the world, through increased levels of certification.
On his new role, Fowler says: “It’s an honour to be elected president and to help lead the Institute in educating the public, governments and industry regarding the management of corrosion. On average the annual cost of corrosion exceeds £3 trillion which can be minimised by sharing best practice.
