Intertek, the global provider of quality and safety services worldwide, has expanded its Exploration and Production services in the Middle East by investing in a new 8.5 million AED ($2.3 million) facility in Abu Dhabi.

The laboratory will house cutting-edge equipment that will enable the organisation to provide high-specification testing for oil and gas customers in the region.

Located in Musaffah, the laboratory will provide reservoir characterisation services including core analysis to support critical testing for oil and gas clients. The facility comprises three buildings which extend to approximately 1,300 square metres, housing a wide range of specialised equipment and instrumentation.

This investment will include the installation of advanced testing equipment, as well as the employment of up to 10 scientific staff from the local region. Intertek will also bolster the new Middle East operation by transferring key skills from its international network of experts.

Raymond Pirie, Vice President of Intertek’s global Exploration and Production business line, said: “Fluid and rock characterisation provides valuable data associated with the development of new and existing oil fields. We focus on gaining a deeper understanding of reservoirs to assist our customers in enhancing and improving oil and gas recovery processes. The new facility in Abu Dhabi will allow us to deliver services locally and minimise the need to transport samples out of country.“The Middle East is an important market for Intertek and this investment underlines our commitment to the oil and gas sector in the region.”

Intertek has already worked on a number of Middle East reservoir projects using its laboratories in other international locations, but this investment delivers services locally to oil and gas companies in the area for the first time.

The company has a number of existing offices in the United Arab Emirates and works with national oil companies to deliver third-party inspection, expediting, quality assurance, and asset integrity management services on major projects. The UAE regional offices also extend service support into Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, India, Iraq, Algeria and other countries.