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BARRIER QUALIFICATION CHAMBER - UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN

University of Aberdeen

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

12 Aug 2026 at 12:09

Award Notice
Tender

16 Jan 2026 at 12:29

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Aberdeen, through its National Decommissioning Centre, procured a downhole testing facility for validating new materials used in plugging and abandoning oil and gas wells. The facility is intended to provide a controlled environment that reproduces downhole pressure and temperature conditions. It must allow a test tool to be deployed and activated, followed by pressure testing of the resulting seal. This is a specialist goods and engineering-equipment requirement, classified as well-testing equipment (CPV 43121500). Delivery is in Aberdeen, Scotland. The requirement is relevant to suppliers of well-testing systems, pressure and temperature simulation equipment, oil and gas decommissioning technology, materials qualification facilities, and engineering firms able to design and build bespoke test infrastructure for research and industrial validation.

The procurement has been awarded following an open procedure. One contract is active, awarded jointly to Score Europe Limited and Heinrich Georg UK Limited. The contract value is £828,519. It was signed on 29 July 2026. The planned contract period was 360 days. Evaluation was based mainly on technical quality, weighted at 85%, with price weighted at 15%; variants were not permitted. The tender deadline was 16 February 2026 at 12:00 UTC, with bids required in English and a 90-day validity period. Three bids were received, all from SMEs and submitted electronically. All three bids were from suppliers outside the EU, and electronic ordering and electronic payment apply, while electronic invoicing is allowed.

This award demonstrates demand from the University of Aberdeen for specialist infrastructure supporting oil and gas well plugging and abandonment, alternative plugging technologies, and materials qualification. A credible future competitor would need practical capability in downhole testing and the design or manufacture of equipment that safely reproduces high-pressure and high-temperature well conditions. Experience deploying and activating test tools, then carrying out reliable pressure testing of seals, would be directly relevant. Suppliers should also be able to support validation and qualification work for new materials, integrate bespoke engineering systems, and deliver a functioning research facility rather than a standard off-the-shelf product. The three-bid competition, with all bidders identified as SMEs, indicates that specialist smaller engineering businesses can participate in this type of requirement.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

BARRIER QUALIFICATION CHAMBER - UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN

Notice Description

Award of contract The National Decommissioning Centre at the University of Aberdeen has identified the need for a downhole testing facility with the primary purpose of evaluating the behaviour of new materials for plugging and abandonment (P&A) of oil and gas wells. Existing and emerging alternative plugging technologies require a framework for validation and qualification. A test facility is to be built for this purpose. The facility will have to mimic downhole conditions such as pressure and temperature and allow a test tool to be deployed and activated before enabling a pressure test of the seal.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The National Decommissioning Centre at the University of Aberdeen has identified the need for a downhole testing facility with the primary purpose of evaluating the behaviour of new materials for plugging and abandonment (P&A) of oil and gas wells. Existing and emerging alternative plugging technologies require a framework for validation and qualification. A test facility is to be built for this purpose. The facility will have to mimic downhole conditions such as pressure and temperature and allow a test tool to be deployed and activated before enabling a pressure test of the seal.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-060794
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/076693-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

43 - Machinery for mining, quarrying, construction equipment

CPV Codes

43121500 - Well-testing equipment

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£828,519 £500K-£1M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Aug 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
16 Feb 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
University of Aberdeen
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
ABERDEEN
Postcode
AB24 3FX
Postcode Area
Aberdeen
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM5 North Eastern Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM50 Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire
Delivery Location
TLM50 Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire
Local Authority
Aberdeen City
Electoral Ward
Tillydrone/Seaton/Old Aberdeen
Westminster Constituency
Aberdeen North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
2
Supplier Names

Score Europe Limited

Heinrich Georg UK ltd

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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