(EnergyAsia, July 1 2013, Monday) — Norwegian classification, inspection and survey firm DNV has started work building on its specialised S$15 million laboratory in Singapore to provide testing services for ships and companies involved in deepwater oil and gas activities. (US$1=S$1.28).

When completed by the first quarter of 2014, the new facility will provide a range of services including material or component qualification, large structure mock-up test, corrosion protections system and degradation mechanism analysis vital for oil and gas companies operating in the region.

DNV said the laboratory will be the only one in Asia to provide full-scale pipe fatigue assessment by resonance testing, a key technical qualification in more challenging pipeline environment.

Located at Gul Circle, the new facility will work very closely with the DNV Deepwater Technology Centre, which was established in 2012, to provide testing services related to subsea umbilical, flow line, riser, floating systems, drilling and wells. The company currently owns and operates laboratories in Norway, Singapore, Malaysia and the US.

“The new facility with its state-of-the-art services shall reinforce our presence in an important market and enable us to supply the growing needs of our customers in Singapore and other parts of Southeast Asia,” said Ernst Meyer, Vice President and Director of Operations for DNV South East Asia & Pacific.

“DNV has 40 years of experience in offshore and deepwater and with Asia Pacific becoming a booming deepwater oil and gas market, DNV in Singapore is well positioned to support Asia Pacific in undertaking more specific and in-depth testings for the energy and shipping sectors.”