BJ Services Opens New Pipeline Services Base in the Netherlands

BJ Services has opened a new base in Oirschot near Eindhoven, The Netherlands. The new base, which replaces the previous process and pipeline services base in Oirschot that had been operating since 2001, is part of a major investment in Continental Europe. BJ provides process and pipeline services from the facility to customers across Continental Europe and North Africa. It also serves as the new Continental Europe/North Africa (CENA) region headquarters for the process and pipeline services group.

Largest Fleet of Onshore Nitrogen Services and Pipeline Recompression Equipment in Europe

The new purpose-built 44,670-ft2 (4150 m2) base features offices for engineering, sales and operations personnel, a sizable maintenance workshop, indoor and outdoor equipment storage areas, and a state-of-the-art training facility. Designed specifically to support oil, gas and petrochemical customers across Continental Europe, the new base currently houses the largest and most diverse fleet of onshore nitrogen services equipment in Europe. It will accommodate the largest fleet of mobile pipeline recompression systems that will arrive in summer 2009 and early 2010. In addition, mobile flaring and chemical cleaning services equipment are located at the facility, giving production facilities and pipeline operators in Europe a full complement of startup and shutdown services.

"The investment in a new base in Continental Europe gives us a great platform from which to pursue new business opportunities. The increased equipment and maintenance capacity provides our customers with resources that are unrivalled in Continental Europe," said Julian Manning, manager -- Continental Europe and North Africa -- process and pipeline services for BJ Services. "As a result, we are in a position to offer customers a greater range of options, particularly during unplanned shutdowns. In addition, we can mobilise our equipment and personnel more efficiently for our customers," he added.

The full range of BJ Services' process and pipeline services are available from Oirschot, including, but not limited to, cold and hot nitrogen services, pipeline gas recompression and mobile flaring services, chemical cleaning, hydrostatic testing, nitrogen and helium leak detection, pipe freeze isolation services, as well as pipeline and process piping cleaning and drying.

Currently, BJ Services employs nearly 50 employees at the Oirschot base who are dedicated to delivering process and pipeline services in Continental Europe. The company plans to recruit at least 10 more employees to support ongoing operations in the CENA region during 2009.

The new base in The Netherlands is the latest addition to the CENA region's network of process and pipeline services bases in Italy, Germany, France, Algeria, the United Kingdom and Libya. Julian Manning, manager -- Continental Europe and North Africa -- process and pipeline services for BJ Services, has operational responsibility for the new base.