All RDAs across England are closing by March 2012
(see transition and closure section).
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£100,000 grant to develop oil and gas drilling technology
June 2010
An Exeter engineering firm has been awarded a £100,000 Research
& Development grant by the RDA to develop a new drilling tool
that will tap into the most difficult-to-reach pockets of oil and
gas.
AnTech’s latest invention, Polaris, will drill down to depths of
up to 3,000 metres and includes an on-board gyro that operates like
a 3D compass. This, combined with systems to change orientation,
means the direction can be altered at any stage of drilling. For
example operators will be able to navigate around various rock
formations, ensuring they are extracting as much oil or gas as
possible from underground reservoirs.
AnTech employs 15 people at its headquarters in Exeter. The
Research & Development grant from the RDA will allow the
company to create a prototype of the Polaris.
The firm has already had interest from drilling contractors in
Australia and the United States, who have volunteered to conduct
field trials on the prototype.
Toni Miszewski, Managing Director of AnTech Ltd, said: “Without
the grant, the development of this innovative new technology
wouldn’t have been possible due to the industry downturn. Instead,
we’re looking forward to making the Polaris a reality in 2010.”
The Grant for Research and Development, delivered regionally by
the South West RDA, is part of a Department for Business,
Innovation and Skills (BIS) Solutions for Business initiative. The
scheme provides funding to help small and medium-sized businesses
research and develop technologically innovative products and
processes.
For more information see the Grant for Research & Development
page.