Malaysia: Inertek’s New Facility to Service E&P Sector in the Region

Intertek has invested £900,000  in a new Malaysian regional centre which will bring enhanced services to the exploration and production (E&P) sector in the region.

Based in Kuala Lumpur, the facility boasts two laboratories and will allow Intertek to significantly expand its locally delivered services for its existing E&P business in the region. It will be also be a focal point for the provision of local expertise through consultancy, technical support and testing services for the South East Asia region. The office has capacity for 30 people and recruitment plans are underway to increase the workforce by a third.

The three-floor, 10,000 sq foot facility which has been operational since November 2012 and was officially opened yesterday is furnished with the latest technology and equipment. It will include two laboratories, one specifically for oil and gas analysis and the other to provide production chemistry, microbiology and corrosion testing services to South East Asia; a new offering from Intertek in the region. The office will also host training courses in its purpose built meeting and conference room.

The company has been successfully growing its business in the region over the past two years through a number of significant contract wins, particularly in production chemistry, corrosion and chemical testing. To date, these projects have been delivered from our production & integrity assurance centres of excellence in the UK. Technology transfer to the new facility will significantly enhance the delivery of local services but with continued access to our international experts.

Tom Whitfield, manager of E&P for South East Asia at Intertek, and Douglas Bennet, manager of microbiology for South East Asia at Intertek, have relocated from the UK to Kuala Lumpur.

Dr Whitfield said: “Intertek has seen a growing demand for local testing and support services in South East Asia. We see Malaysia as the focal point for the region because it has a mature oil and gas market and also a large amount of exploration. Our facility is particularly targeted at technology needs encountered by our clients. It will help our clients make informed decisions and give them easier access to international experts in a range of disciplines from production chemistry and microbiology to materials performance and corrosion. Our ultimate aim is to reduce risk in the local industry through accurate, analytical assessment and testing.”

“Malaysia is an established oil producer and continues to attract new activity by local and international energy companies in the region. Intertek plans to be a contributor to that success through the integrated support and services our new facility offers to companies operating in the region.”