UTP inks MoU with Deleum Chemicals to deliver research and innovation in oilfield production enhancement
Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) recently inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Deleum Chemicals for its students to develop new cost-effective technologies for oilfield production enhancement
The MoU was signed by Vice Chancellor of UTP Datuk Ir (Dr) Abdul Rahim Haji Hashim and Group Managing Director of Deleum Berhad Nan Yusri Nan Rahimy.
“It is a pleasure for UTP to create a significant milestone by collaborating with a prominent oil and gas service company. This collaboration between us shows both industry and university working together to provide opportunities in real oil and gas working environment and to develop new and innovative products for flow assurance and production enhancement,” Datuk Ir (Dr) Abdul Rahim Haji Hashim said at the signing.
“The valuable exchange of professional knowledge, technical platform, guidance and direction stemming from this MoU with Deleum will continuously enhance UTP’s goal towards realising teaching, learning, research and innovation excellence for the nation. We are honoured to have this opportunity which further signifies UTP as the leading private university in Malaysia,” he said.
UTP is a private higher learning institution. This year marks the 20th anniversary since it was established. The university aspires to be a globally prominent centre of innovation and creativity and a respected member of the scientific community by 2025.
Asked on how the two parties came together with the idea to collaborate, he said: “There is quite a natural fit between what Deleum wanted to do and our expertise.”
He added: “There is a need right now to innovate.”
The major thrust of the MoU is to provide a sustainable platform for student development and expose them to workplace technological challenges faced by the industry. The partnership is anticipated to create a conducive platform to develop new technologies with high potential for commercialisation.
The collaboration will initially see one undergraduate student and two postgraduate students of UTP embark on work in the areas of flow assurance and product enhancement.
The initial phase of the effort is planned for two years, with an option to extend, subjected to the progress and findings of the research. During this period, there will be active involvement and interaction between parties to explore new and novel inventions to solve the problems faced by the industry in their daily operations.
The MoU will see both parties sharing best practices and expertise to develop new technologies and products particularly in specialty chemicals and instruments to enhance the productivity of the oilfields and reduce flow assurance issues faced by the asset owners.
Following the MoU, definitive agreement will be signed between Deleum Chemical Sdn Bhd (DCSB) and Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS specifying the project which involves DCSB experts, UTP lecturers, research officers as well as UTP students.
This collaboration signifies a great milestone for Deleum group in creating a culture of innovation in the forefront of the business: it will enable Deleum Chemicals to keep abreast of new developments in technologies and capabilities, helping it to meet the challenges of an ever-evolving industry. Deleum Chemicals is involved in the development and provision of chemical solutions for enhancement of crude oil production and flow assurance and the supply of oilfield chemicals and services to the oil and gas industry.
“As a service provider Deleum places great value on our people and our ability to innovate. For this reason, we continuously seek to invest our expertise, time and resources in harnessing human capacity, strengthening and expanding our products and services to reach new frontiers of niche and innovative solutions. This partnership with UTP will be the impetus for the group to be the active player in developing solutions for the future needs of the industry on both the technology and capacity development fronts,” said Nan Yusri, Group Managing Director, Deleum Berhad.
By Mohani Niza