AUBIN, a leading independent supplier of specialist chemicals to the energy industry, is launching a new gel installation system for the oil and gas market in the Middle East at this year’s Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (Adipec).

The new Hybrid Gel system, which can be seen in action at stand 6042 in the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre at Adipec 2012, evolved from the company’s ground-breaking Gel Lift System (GLS). The company’s GLS and DiveGel systems will also be on display.

Aubin and its Middle East partner, Leaders Oilfield Equipment LLC, offers a range of products including pipeline cleaning gels, gel pigs and marine buoyancy gels. 75 per cent of Aubin’s sales are attributed to the Middle East.

Aubin managing director Paddy Collins says: “The concept for the Hybrid Gel system came about as a direct result of the feedback received on GLS, which was launched last year. We are keen to demonstrate that, when combined with compressed air in a controlled system, very little gel can create significant lift/buoyancy.

“We are delighted to be able to display this product at Adipec and highlight the benefits it can offer our Middle East customers, where it will be beneficial for a number of projects, and ideal for working in water depths indigenous to the region.”

Collins says the Hybrid Gel technology will help the Middle East market by providing flexibility in planning operations and will allow the region’s oil and gas industry to simplify activity by carrying out work using existing vessels.

He added that the new gel system would be beneficial in decommissioning or modification work, especially where access is restricted and no craneage option is available. The technology is rated for 3000m water depths, making it viable for potential ROV applications.

The Hybrid Gel system uses a combination of both Aubin’s patented GLS and compressed air and is specifically designed to enable the installation and removal of large or heavy structures in shallow waters up to 100 metres.

Air is pressurised in tanks to prevent compression as it is lowered, making it far more stable. When used in conjunction with buoyant gel of GLS, it makes the system extremely safe and much easier to control when compared with using air buoyancy alone.

Collins says: “By creating a hybrid system, you gain all the individual benefits of using air and gel whilst avoiding any of the disadvantages. The Hybrid Gel system offers the potential for significant cost savings and risk reduction by eliminating the need for large cranes and barges.”

An interactive demonstration of the Hybrid Gel and GLS systems will be on display at Adipec along with the full range of Aubin’s buoyancy products including the liquid ballast LiquiDense.

Aubin was established in Aberdeen, Scotland in 1987 and operates in the UK, Middle East, North Africa and Brazil. It has a team of 21 people. It designs, researches, develops, manufactures and supplies high-quality chemical technology for a wide range of energy industry applications.

Aubin is exhibiting at Adipec 2012 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, stand 6042 in hall 6. Collins will be representing the company at the stand along with Aubin business development manager Raymond Stirton.