German company opens £16 million facility in East Kilbride

A £16 million centre for subsea development has been opened in East Kilbride, allowing for Scotland to be a key player in multiphase flow measurement.

Developed by Germany company TÜV SÜD National Engineering Laboratory, the advanced multiphase facility has technology that can provide high definition images of how fluids and gases behave to allow companies intelligence on the efficiency of their operations how to plan for future flow.

The facility was opened this week (October 10) by the cabinet secretary for finance, Derek Mackay. He said, “TÜV SÜD National Engineering Laboratory’s £16m investment into this facility is great news for Scotland. The Scottish Government is working hard to establish stronger trading links between Scotland and Germany and this news is testament to Scotland’s ability to attract inward investment in spite of the continuing uncertainty around Brexit.”

Dr Brian Millington, managing director of TÜV SÜD National Engineering Laboratory, said, “The AMF’s world-leading research facilities will support the global oil & gas industry with both current and future measurement challenges, from well optimisation to fiscal accounting. While significant production opportunities exist in extreme environments, higher operating pressures and temperatures can impact the performance of multiphase flow measurement devices.

“The AMF will increase the viability of well exploitation by helping operators to more accurately measure multiphase flow and better understand the performance of production operations in these challenging but potentially profitable environments.”

David Smith, director of National Opportunities for Scottish Enterprise, said, “It’s fantastic to see the centre open and ready for business. Our £4.9m R&D grant was the catalyst for TÜV SÜD National Engineering Laboratory to secure over £11m of funding from its German parent company. Doing this means we can anchor the skills and expertise in the East Kilbride facility for the long term and create more economic opportunity for the families and communities in the area.”