The state-of-the-art technology centre further represents Benthic's commitment to geoscience research, development and innovation projects with a focus on the oil, gas and offshore wind sectors in the region.
At the opening event, Benthic team members welcomed existing clients, vendors and geotech professionals from across the globe to the Technological Park Auditorium.
Fabio Pereira, Brazil country manager for Benthic, opened with introductions of the speakers and then gave the floor to Benthic lab coordinator, Cid Dieguez who delivered an overview of the lab's capabilities.
Professor Fernando Danziger, a partner from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, spoke about Benthic's lab initiative and the importance of the teachers in educating their students, followed by the Technological Park manager, Lucimar Dantas voicing her appreciation of the partnership between Benthic and Technological Park of UFRJ.
Benthic CEO Steve Pywell delivered an overview of Benthic, its technologies, safety records, executed projects, new investments and commitment to operations in Brazil.
Fabio Galvão, the president of CODIN (Industrial Development Company for the State of Rio de Janeiro), closed the session appreciating the investments of Benthic in the State.
Following the presentation, visitors made their way to the lab where Dieguez and his colleagues guided them through the facility for a tour and answering questions along the way.
"Brazil is an excellent location for our technology centre and geotechnical lab," said Greg Fyffe, Benthic vice president of strategy. "There is a dynamic culture and the Technological Park offers an environment conducive to innovation projects and proximity to the university's geoscience laboratories and other established companies."
The geotechnical laboratory utilises cutting-edge technology and advanced equipment that is first-of-its-kind in Brazil for soil classification and advanced static and dynamic testing to provide clients with superior lab testing for their commercial site investigation projects. This includes the stress and strain control dynamic triaxial test system with bender element measurement, the stress/strain control dynamic simple shear testing system, and the constant rate of strain consolidation test system, used for the static and cyclic soil behaviour characterisation which is important for the design of offshore foundation systems.
Laboratory operations are led by Fabio Pereira, Rodrigo Santana and Cid Dieguez, who have built a diverse team of local talent including some of the best and brightest Bachelors, Masters, and PhD level engineers in the region.
The first batch of offshore soil samples isexpected to arrive at the beginning of December 2019 to be processed for Petrobras.
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