Oceaneering opens new Validation and Competency Centre in Swansea
03/08/2015
Oceaneering Asset Integrity, which serves a global market from its base in Swansea, has officially opened its new Validation and Competency Centre, said to be one of the most technically advanced facilities of its kind in the world.
Oceaneering Asset Integrity is part of US-headquartered Oceaneering International Inc. Its Swansea operation is already designated a Centre of Excellence within the group for new specialist inspection services to support advanced non-destructive testing services for the oil & gas, energy and construction industries.
The new facility, which has been supported by the Welsh Government, will enhance its validation services for new technologies as they come to market and ensure the competency of operators to carry out inspection services worldwide.
The official opening by Edwina Hart, Minister for Economy, Science and Transport, formed part of an open day that attracted leading representatives from major oil & gas companies around the world and included technical demonstrations and seminars.
The new centre doubles the size of Oceaneering’s existing centre in Swansea and forms part of a two-pronged investment that includes a new facility currently under construction in Pembrokeshire, both of which are supported through the Welsh Government’s Economic Growth Fund, safeguarding the existing workforce and creating 15 new jobs.
Speaking ahead of the launch in Swansea, the Minister said: “This is excellent news for Wales and I am delighted the Welsh Government is supporting such an important investment that places Oceaneering Asset Integrity at the very forefront of its field worldwide.
“Businesses working at this very high level globally make a major contribution to Wales, helping to raise the country’s profile on the international stage and highlighting the expertise and skills we have in Wales. It is a major boost for the Swansea facility, ensuring it retains its position as a global centre of excellence while securing the long-term sustainability of the centre.”
The Minister added that she is particularly pleased the Welsh Government is also supporting the new centre in Pembrokeshire, which is currently under construction and will create seven new jobs in the Haven Waterway Enterprise Zone. The facility will provide conventional testing services to the oil & gas sector, as well as local industries in South Wales.
Martin Hockley, Global Business Development Manager at Oceaneering, said: “This new centre will enable us to develop new capabilities, help retain our leading position worldwide and is a real commitment to Wales that secures the Swansea operation into the future.
“The Swansea facility supports Oceaneering International’s operations on a worldwide basis and this investment puts us ahead of the game and gives us a unique selling point. Support from the Welsh Government is greatly appreciated and ensured both these expansion projects went ahead.”
Oceaneering has eleven operations in the UK, with personnel from Swansea travelling the world to provide expert support to its blue-chip clients.
The new facility, which has state-of-the-art equipment, provides a purpose-built dedicated centre of excellence to independently assess and validate advanced NDT inspection methods.
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