BUREAU Veritas, the testing, inspection, and certification services company, is to open a remote service centre in Aberdeen.
The move is part of a global expansion that has recently seen offices open in Singapore, Shanghai, Miami, Rotterdam, Istanbul, and Dubai.
The firm, which has its main North Sea support offices based in Aberdeen’s Tullos area, is leading the drive towards real-time verification for offshore assets with its remote inspection, certification, examination and verification services.
Bureau Veritas, who will be the first independent verification body to have its UK-based remote inspection services accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), aims to convert 50% of physical surveys offshore to remote surveys by the end of 2021.
Earlier this year, the company reported a 900% increase in demand for remote inspections following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and they have conducted over 400 remote surveys.
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Paul Shrieve, vice president offshore & services, based in the Aberdeen office, said: “We see the journey towards real-time verification as a four-stage process; from traditional to remote, process safety and, ultimately, real-time.
“We have provided all of our duty holder clients with a clear line of sight towards remote inspection and verification, and we are witnessing increased demand from supply chain companies who are being asked to provide remote services while meeting regulatory compliance.
“Real-time verification will require enhanced digitalisation, remote control, greater use of virtual and augmented reality and real-time digital twin barrier models.
“However it can play a significant part in reducing unit operating costs and enhancing safety – two of the most important considerations in today’s oil and gas industry.”
