Minister opens Swellfix world headquarters and advocates development of international business links in Aberdeen
John Swinney MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable growth was in Aberdeen this week, backing the development of international business in Aberdeen and Scotland, as he officially opened the world headquarters of swelling elastomer specialists SwellFix.
The company, which started life as a Shell research project in the Netherlands relocated to Aberdeen in 2007, choosing Europe’s oil capital as the base for its administration, research and production planning.
With increasing demand for its zonal isolation technology, the company now employs 23 staff in Aberdeen and has regional offices in Dubai, Kuala Lumpur Rio de Janeiro and Houston, as well as sales offices in Moscow, Rijswijk, Abu Dhabi, Calgary, Paris, Bahrain, Jakarta and Port Harcourt.
“To have the support of Mr Swinney today as we cement our future here in the North east of Scotland is a privilege, says Swellfix chief executive officer John Dewar.
“Increasing demand for our product has allowed further research and development here in Aberdeen and that brings with it greater opportunity to grow. Also, our network of regional offices is expanding so we need more staff to support that. As such we expect employee numbers in Aberdeen to increase further before the end of the financial year.”
“Locating to the North east was important for us as it gives us access to the global decision makers within many of the international oil companies. Moreover it is perfectly placed to find the diversity of staff that enables us to continue with our creative and innovative research and development”.
With an enviable record of over 4,500 downhole installations of its swellable elastomer technology, without any failures, Swellfix continues to provide a range of standard and bespoke zonal isolation, cement assurance and other swellable elastomer applications to the oil and gas industry.
Finance Secretary John Swinney said:
“I was pleased to have the opportunity to visit Swellfix and open the company’s new international headquarters. Swellfix is a global leader in the oil and gas field and I’m delighted the company has chosen Aberdeen as its base.
“The oil and gas sector makes a vital contribution to Scotland’s economy and we welcome the contribution of companies like Swellfix to the industry’s continued development, innovation and growth.”
“Our success is down to the development of swelling elastomer products that address the requirements of both the drilling and completions market segments,” continues John Dewar. “Our products suit all mature oil provinces where oil in water is expected. In many cases we can use a standard range of elastomers, but due to the differences in field conditions it’s not uncommon for us to supply a unique and considered product that carefully matches the elastomer compound to the specific well conditions.”
Swellfix’s extensive range includes both oil and water activated swellable elastomers. When they come into contact with the appropriate liquid they swell to seal in the available space. This makes for an extremely simple and effective zonal isolation or cement assurance tool. More information about Swellfix and its technologies can be found at www.swellfix.com.
July 18, 2008
Notes to editor:
Pictures attached:
Swellfix Swinney 001: L-R, Swellfix CEO John Dewar and Finance Minister John Swinney, discussing Swellfix’s revolutionary swellable elastomer technology.
Swellfix Swinney 015: L-R, Swellfix CEO John Dewar and Finance Minister John Swinney, discussing Swellfix’s revolutionary swellable elastomer technology.
Swellfix Swinney 016: L-R, Swellfix CEO John Dewar and Finance Minister John Swinney, discussing Swellfix’s revolutionary swellable elastomer technology.
Swellfix Swinney 017: Finance Minister John Swinney opens Swellfix World Headquarters
Swellfix:
Swellfix’s extensive range includes both water and oil activated swellable elastomers. When they come into contact with the appropriate liquid they swell to seal the available space. This makes them ideal for simple and effective zonal isolation or for situations where cement may fail in the well.
For further ormation:
Mark Guest
The PR Partnership
Tel 01224 248007
DD 01224 216069
Mob 07770 852105
mark@prpartnership.co.uk