News archive 2006/05
DECEMBER 2006: MERLIN SYSTEM ENTERS PILOT TRIAL PHASE
Abriox has successfully completed the Industrial Research phase of its remote CP monitoring system development. In order to expose the units to realistic field conditions the system is being trialled by a major multi-product petroleum pipeline operator in the UK.
The Transformer Rectifier Monitor records TR voltage and current output, pipe-to-soil potential and also monitors the AC mains supply to the TR. At the Test Post AC and DC measurements are taken, using a permanently installed reference cell and a coupon. A major advantage of the Test Post Monitor is that it can be fitted into a standard M28 CP test post. Data is transmitted simultaneously to the pipeline operator and Abriox for evaluation, displayed via the new CP System Manager software.
The Pipeline Engineer managing the trial commented: “I was very impressed with the professional way the equipment was packaged and it is nice to go on site with prototype equipment which works without a lot of fuss”.
DECEMBER 2006: ABRIOX INC. INCORPORATED IN EL PASO, TEXAS
Abriox has established Abriox Inc. This strategic move follows our recent success in concluding a package to fund expansion and reflects the importance to the Company of the US oil and gas market.
Abriox Inc.’s new office is located in El Paso. El Paso is the fourth largest city in Texas and 22nd in size in the United States. It is also the nation's third fastest-growing metropolitan area and almost as close to Los Angeles as to Houston!
Abriox selected El Paso because of its proximity to the South Western oil and gas utilities, discussions with which are expected to start in early 2007.
NOVEMBER 2006: US MARKETING PROJECT LAUNCHED
Abriox has been awarded a grant by International Business Wales to assist with an initial marketing and sales project in the United States market.
US oil and gas companies have a proactive policy towards pipeline maintenance and the International Trade Fund grant provides support for market research, visits / presentations to potential customers and exhibiting Abriox´s technology.
OCTOBER 2006: FINANCE WALES INVESTs IN ABRIOX
Abriox is delighted to announce the conclusion of a funding package with Finance Wales Investments Limited that consolidates its financial position and provides a firm foundation for growth.
The package, under which Finance Wales has taken an equity stake in Abriox with an option to provide additional loan funding for the expansion of the business, follows a period of detailed negotiations. Coming only shortly after the end of the first year’s trading, it represents the best possible external endorsement of the Company’s strategy to develop a successful range of monitoring products.
Finance Wales was created by the Welsh Assembly Government to provide commercial funding to Welsh businesses. It has assisted over 1000 companies and community enterprises throughout Wales, encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship by offering financial solutions on a commercial basis.
SEPTEMBER 2006: BIRTHDAY AND HOUSEWARMING
Abriox invited representatives of organisations who had participated in its successful first year to join the Company for a tea party in its new offices.
Newport City Council, the Welsh Assembly Government, Royal Bank of Scotland, Newport & Gwent Enterprise, Finance Wales, Astrum-IP and Rombourne Business Centres joined Abriox to celebrate completion of the first year’s trading.
Local specialist caterers Celebrations provided the “corporate cake” and a champagne toast was raised to Abriox’s continued success. The recent move to new serviced offices in Newport has ideally positioned Abriox for further growth.
August 2006: Abriox opens New Office
Abriox has moved into brand new office accommodation - among the first occupants of the prestigious £12m Merlin House development at Langstone Business Park in Newport, South Wales.
The purpose-built centre is furnished to a high standard with excellent on-site facilities including air conditioning, conference rooms and a cafe. Located in the shadow of the Celtic Manor Resort, it occupies a prime location in the Newport area with plenty of on-site parking and local amenities.
The premises are superbly attractive, with a Japanese-themed ornamental garden and decor. Merlin House is a suitably professional and sophisticated working environment for Abriox’s staff - and will enable the company to expand flexibly in future.
The new office is easy for customers to access, strategically situated just 1 minute’s drive from the M4 motorway.
May 2006: Expansion of Engineering Department
Following the award by the Welsh Assembly Government of a SMARTCymru Industrial Research grant, Abriox has expanded its Engineering Department with the recruitment of a Senior Hardware Engineer and a Senior Software Engineer.
The two Engineers will join the project team working on the design and development of a remote monitoring system for oil and gas pipelines. Their responsibility will be to test various hardware configurations, optimise the wireless communications scheme and write the PC user software.
Future job vacancies will again be advertised on this website.
April 2006: New Innovation Award
Following submission of our Technical/Commercial Feasibility Study in January 2006, Abriox is delighted to announce a further SMARTCymru award from the Welsh Assembly Government. The Industrial Research award recognises Abriox´s innovative proposals for the development of a new remote monitoring system for gas and fuel pipelines.
The system will enable pipeline operators to:
- • Prolong the operating lifetime of transmission pipelines
by monitoring more effectively their resistance to external corrosion
- • Improve safety through regular automatic indication
of protection levels, with an alarm if these fall below acceptable
limits
- • Reduce the labour cost of monitoring the pipelines –
and spend more time interpreting the corrosion data from them
- • Comply more easily and effectively with regulatory requirements
and demonstrate “smart” asset management
- • Reduce the risk to staff from roadside work and the
emissions from survey vehicles.
The SMARTCymru programme is aimed at SMEs in Wales and supports the research, development and exploitation of technologically innovative products and processes.
October 2005: Abriox wins Innovation Award
Abriox Limited has won a SMARTCymru award from the Welsh Development Agency. The Technical Feasibility grant recognises Abriox´s innovative proposals for the development of new gas and fuel pipeline monitoring systems and will support an assessment of the technological and commercial viability of transforming Abriox´s ideas into new products.
The development project aims to produce a new range of pipeline integrity monitoring instruments that will significantly benefit gas (and other fuel) pipeline operators by:
- • Increasing public safety by identifying and positioning
pipeline failures
- • Reducing environmental damage from corrosion that leads
to leakage
- • Lower wastage and therefore lower cost to the consumer
- • Detecting leaks earlier, allowing more cost effective
repairs and less supply disruption
The WDA´s SMARTCymru scheme for Research and Development is aimed at SMEs in Wales. Grant funding is offered, at the discretion of WDA, to help businesses carry out research and development work that will lead to technologically innovative products or processes.
Abriox is a start-up company, founded in 2005 around an existing management team experienced in technology, manufacturing and management. Its core expertise is the monitoring of gas and fuel pipelines. It also seeks opportunities for contract product development and joint ventures.
