Edinburgh's Heriot-Watt University Institute of Petroleum Engineering has signed a five-year partnership agreement with Total.
Worth at least US3.2 million (£2.5 million), the agreement was signed by Elisabeth Proust, managing director, Total E&P UK, and Dr Gillian Murray, deputy principal, Business and Enterprise, at Heriot-Watt University.
The partnership agreement covers global research and development and educational activities undertaken jointly by Total and Heriot-Watt, including sponsored PhD and post-doctoral studies, guest lectures and presentations, internships and scholarships, seminars and training events, career, business and education forums and conferences and University and industry-based site visits.
Elisabeth Proust, managing director, Total E&P UK, said: “It is vitally important for Total and Heriot-Watt to continue to work together to progress, develop and embrace new and innovative technology through research projects that will help define and shape the future of the offshore industry."
Dr Gillian Murray said: “This is the latest development in a long-term and much valued partnership between Total and Heriot-Watt University. Such partnerships and joint ventures are key to the way the University operates and are of great value to development and the wider economy.
“This partnership agreement covers education as well as research and development, underpinning the future success of the offshore oil and gas industry and the Scottish Government’s economic priorities. With this in mind we are particularly delighted that the First Minister was able to join us to celebrate the signing.”
The university’ Institute of Petroleum Engineering is home to the Centre of Enhanced Oil Recovery and CO2 Solutions and the Flow Assurance and Scale Team laboratories.
Total is also a sponsor of Heriot-Watt University’s year of Robotics.