Strathclyde University launches oil and gas institute

The University of Strathclyde is launching a new institute to support the oil and gas industry, with a view to helping companies compete on an international stage.

The Strathclyde Oil & Gas Institute is to be based at the university in Glasgow. It will be housed in the institution’s £89 million technology and innovation centre, which is due to be completed by the end of 2014.

Industry challenges

Professor Sir Jim McDonald, principal of the university, said the institute will help to address key industry challenges including continuously improving safety and environmental performance, reducing costs, and increasing production efficiency.

Developed with input and support from the industry, the institute will have a particular focus on oil and gas asset integrity.

Asset integrity

Melfort Campbell, Chairman of the IMES oil service group, was one of the industry partners who helped lead the direction of the new institute. Commenting on the opening, Campbell said: "The focus on asset integrity aligns well with the university's proven strengths in this area and resonates strongly with many of the key challenges that the sector is facing."

The university added that the continued operation of ageing infrastructure is one of the major challenges facing the oil and gas industry. Approximately 30% of the 7000 platforms in operation around the world are more than 20 years old, and many are operating beyond their original design life.

Research and innovation

The university said the institute would also allow companies to access research and innovation capability, highly skilled graduates and leading-edge facilities. Drawing on the university's faculties of engineering, science, business, humanities and social sciences, companies will be able to access expertise in the technologies and processes needed for the effective management of assets, in areas ranging from the materials and manufacturing processes used to build structures to decommissioning them.

Adapted from press release by Katie Woodward

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/exploration/25062014/university_of_strathclyde_launches_oil_and_gas_institute_900/