AUSTRALIA’S first deepwater hyperbaric common user facility opened its doors this week (31 July).
The facility, operated by Matrix Composites and Engineering, is part of the hyperbaric chamber testing facility which opened at the Australian Marine Complex at Henderson in March.
Comprehensive testing, and compliance verification for subsea equipment, including subsea control modules, can now be done in Australia, reducing lead times for testing by around 90% and eliminating the need to send equipment overseas.
It also significantly decreases carbon emissions associated with international transportation.
Matrix CEO Aaron Begley said, “By partnering with Baker Hughes, SICA, and the West Australian Government, we have created a facility that not only enhances operational efficiencies for local companies but also drives technological advancement in the subsea sector.”
The West Australian government on 31 July announced a $320,000 investment to help SICA and its partners expand on the subsea test capabilities through other collaborative projects.
Stephen Dawson, minister assisting the minister for state and industry development, jobs, said he had been thrilled to unveil the Matrix Hyperbaric Deepwater Common User Facility.
“We have an extremely busy global oil and gas sector that operates here in WA that requires this cutting-edge technology to support and maintain their subsea infrastructure,” he said.
“This new hyperbaric testing facility is a game changer, saving valuable time and money and creating local jobs and a new industry.”
