Intertek, a quality solutions provider to industries worldwide, has invested GBP 1.2M for expanding its centre of excellence for corrosion testing services to meet growing demand for asset life extension solutions in the oil and gas industry. The expansion, which has been driven by major new contract awards worth around GBP 1M, takes the total investment in the Manchester, UK, site to over GBP 5M since it first opened in 2008.
Originally consisting of two units with a total size of 10,000ft2, the facility has been extended twice to meet growing demand for corrosion testing services, primarily from the oil and gas industry. Now covering 27,000 ft2, it is among the largest independent laboratories dedicated to corrosion testing. Graeme Dicken, business manager for Testing at Intertek Production and Integrity Assurance, said, “Following the site expansion, we have large-scale bespoke test rigs to simulate specific environments and issues, providing clients with accurate data and solutions. The upgrade recently enabled us to conduct a pilot plant-scale flow loop and full pipe section subsea simulation studies. “
The site provides specialist laboratories for sour service, high pressure/high temperature, coatings and non-metallics, chemical treatment testing and particularly corrosion fatigue studies. The facility has been granted accreditation for two tests under the UKAS ISO 17025:2005 standard.
