The National Hyperbaric Centre in Aberdeen, Scotland has recently invested in an ‘Environmental Testing Facility’ (ETF).
The new, large environmental test laboratory has been installed to simulate conditions down to -25° C for testing offshore equipment, and in particular, subsea oilfield apparatus.
Testing manager Mike McDonald said, “The requirement to verify that critical oilfield equipment can withstand extremes of temperatures and then still function safely and efficiently is increasing requirement of many of our clients. The NHC is responding to customer requests and has decided to invest and expand its capabilities, with even more investments on the horizon.”
Even though deep ocean temperatures do not reach the extreme cold that the new ETF can simulate, the equipment can be stored on deck in such conditions and therefore needs to be capable of withstanding, and then functioning. “Typical subsea temperatures in the Arctic are around -2°C with a mixture of freshwater and sea water, but surface wind-chill adds to the complication of deploying any equipment, so testing with a good safety margin is sound engineering.”
NHC has just started its first ‘chilly’ project with technicians wearing full winter gear while working in the ‘freezer’ – even in the height of summer.
For more information, visit www.nationalhyperbariccentre.com