news story

Advanced detector scoops EEEGR award

A system which detects and controls unwanted pockets of liquids and gases in oil flowing from offshore rigs has won Suffolk company Neftemer and Cranfield University the Energy Innovation Awards 2010.

The annual event is staged by TMS client EEEGR (the East of England Energy Group).

Neftemer director David Whittingham said that the advanced slug detector could help save some of the billions of dollars a year lost in oil production.

It could also extend the life of North Sea rigs where older wells were more likely to suffer from the slugs which caused blockages where there was a lack of upstream pressure in older wells.

“The team is very happy to win the award. As well as working in the North Sea, we believe the advanced slug detector can boost the UK’s export market as we plan to take it into Brazil, Canada and the southern states of the US. It can be used to upgrade existing platforms, is easily attached and simple to operate,” he said.

Around 270 guests attended the Innovation Awards and gala dinner at the Holiday Inn, Norwich International Airport.

The runner-up award went to Kevin Keable, of Loddon-based Oilennium for its E2CO system, a simulator which allows workers safe onscreen training on potentially dangerous or expensive equipment before handling it for real.

The Low Carbon Innovation Award Trophy went to Norwich-based Redwood Power Systems for its LED/SMD lighting technology developed over the last two years.

PICTURED: David Whittingham of Neftemer with the trophy and (from left) Yi Cao, of Cranfield University, Elizabeth Whittingham and Gilmar de Souza