GexCon test site expansion reaches milestone
Published by Callum O'Reilly,
Senior Editor
LNG Industry,
GexCon UK has completed phase one in the expansion of its test site facilities.
The dedicated island site at Sotra, near Bergen in Norway, carries out gas and oil mist and dust explosions, in addition to jet fire, pool fire and compartment fires. It also carries out equipment testing, research and bespoke projects for customers.
A new concrete test pad has been laid and is in use, with the first projects completed for customers.
Under the redevelopment project, a new test site will be developed, eight times larger than the existing facility and will include extended testing areas, infrastructure and measurement equipment.
The second phase of the project, which is now underway, will include the construction of a workshop and storage hall.
The development has also seen investment in a new 22 m3 vented explosion vessel. Plans for future LNG testing are also being made.
Dave Price, CEO of GexCon UK, said: “We are extremely pleased with the way the development is progressing […] The work is a major expansion for us and marks a clear commitment to offer customers access to the best testing resources available, and an extended testing season giving further flexibility.”
Much of the work carried out on Sotra involves testing of explosion protection equipment, and equipment intended for use in potentially explosive, high-risk atmospheres, such as oil and gas industry facilities, in addition to very bespoke testing for other commercial and military applications.
GexCon’s experts carry out tests and certify such equipment to verify that the equipment is not an effective ignition source itself in accordance with EU directive 94/9/EC, known as the ATEX product directive.
Adapted from press release by Callum O'Reilly
Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/liquid-natural-gas/13112014/gexcon-test-site-expansion-reaches-milestone-1787/
You might also like
Securing LNG’s leading role on the global energy stage
In our recent April issue of LNG Industry, Michael Pospisil P.E., Senior Engineer, and Rich Insull, P.E., Project Manager, Matrix PDM Engineering, detail the significance of life cycle analysis to helping secure LNG’s role in the future energy mix.