Wilton base for test plant

May 23 2008 By Jez Davison, Evening Gazette

GROUND-BREAKING technology which aims to increase the value of crude oil is to be trialled at the Wilton Centre.

Oxfordshire-based gas disposal firm CompactGTL will run a new testing plant, which will convert natural gas into crude oil - boosting the value of oilfield developments.

Wilton-based recruitment firm TechConsult UK has been hired to recruit about 10 staff to run the plant, including specialist engineers and a site operations manager.

The plant will convert natural gas into synthetic crude oil, which can be re-used by being mixed with conventional crude oil.

A spokesperson for CompactGTL said Teesside’s “good technical skills” was a key reason for choosing the Wilton base.

Steve Guest, MD of TechConsult UK, said a surge in job opportunities on Teesside was luring people back to the area.

He said: “The people we’ve interviewed so far are from Teesside, but are not currently working here. The natural migration away from the area is being reversed.”