Arc Energy applies for pipe manipulation patent

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Oct 23, 2008

Arc Energy Resources has applied to patent a pipe manipulation system designed to increase the efficiency and quality of its corrosion resistant coating services to the oil and gas industry.

The pipe manipulation system is one of a number of developments resulting from an engineering programme started when Arc Energy employed two graduates from the University of Exeter under the DTI's Knowledge Transfer Partnership programme.

The pipe manipulation system is one of a number of developments resulting from an engineering programme started when Arc Energy employed two graduates.

Toby Venn, one of the graduates seconded to Arc Energy, designed the new machine and is already working on the next development, a new generation of welding workstations to complement the manipulation equipment.

Technical and quality director at Arc Energy, Neil Cook, said that the engineering programme is part of an ongoing investment in research and development that is designed to benefit Arc Energy's specialised weld overlay cladding and fabrication businesses.

The programme focuses on developing equipment, techniques and processes.

Other successes since Venn and fellow graduate Jenny Bingen joined the company a year ago include the design of a manufacturing information control system.