McAvoy supply SPDC with modular laboratories

McAvoy Group of Dungannon, Co Tyrone, have announced the supply of modular laboratories for use as part of a Shell Petroleum Development Corporation (SPDC) project in a remote region of Nigeria.

Ireland's biggest manufacturer of modular buildings, McAvoy Group, recent winner in the Invest NI organised Northern Ireland Exporter of the Year Awards, is to supply three steel-clad laboratories and a secure cabin for equipment storage to SPDC through Alpha Environmental of Coleraine, Co Derry, a leading consultancy in environmental investigation and services.

Alpha has won a substantial contract to assist SPDC in its environmental monitoring activities in the River Niger Delta, centre of the West African gas and oil industry. Queen's University, Belfast will also be providing training services to Alpha as part of the contract.

The laboratories, which are being manufactured in McAvoy's Mallusk factory for shipment in mid-July, will be used by SPDC staff to carry out a range of environmental tests including air and water quality to the ISO 14000 international quality standard.

Jim Smiley, McAvoy Group Sales Manager, commenting on the order, said he was delighted to have secured this important contract from Alpha Environmental and to be supplying the laboratories to Shell Petroleum.

He added: "The Group has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the design and manufacture of science laboratories for colleges and schools across Ireland and also in the development of robust and reliable re-locatable buildings for use in the most challenging locations."

SPDC, the largest Nigerian oil and gas exploration company, has a longstanding commitment to environmental conservation in the West African nation. Shell is currently upgrading its facilities at Forcados to bring them into line with the highest environmental standards.

The new laboratories are designed to enable SPDC to identify and counter oil pollution from spills and leaks as quickly as possible.

The modular buildings will be shipped to Warri in Nigeria for onward transportation by barge to Forcados-Yokri.

McAvoy technicians will also travel out to install and commission the laboratories for Alpha Environmental.

(SP)