Oil well sealing specialist attracts investment from the OGTC

A company that provides sealing systems to the energy industry has been awarded “significant” investment by the Aberdeen-based Oil & Gas Technology Centre (OGTC).

BISN is one of four companies to benefit from a total of £1.3 million of investment as part of the technology centre’s Call for Ideas initiative, which aims to have a “transformational impact” upon well plugging and abandonment in the North Sea.

The firm’s technology is centred on a modified thermite heater, in conjunction with special alloys, to form a permanent barrier that provides an alternative to traditional elastomer seals, resins and cement. Paul Car- ragher, chief executive of BISN, said: “Our technology has been proven in the field to address several fundamental downhole sealing challenges.

“There are more than 1,400 North Sea wells to be plugged and abandoned over the next decade; the cost, time and environmental benefits of our technology provide an obvious solution to the UK decommissioning cost reduction target of 35 per cent, set by the Oil & Gas Authority.”

Established in 2010, BISN operates manufacturing and assembly facilities in both Runcorn and Houston, in the US.

Malcolm Banks of the OGTC said: “Competition for the Call for Ideas was tough, and we commend BISN on their work.” 0 Paul Carragher – technology ‘proven to address challenges’