In this article, Arjan Praat, our Vice President of Oil, Gas and Chemical Analytical Services, discusses the benefits of partnering with SGS to optimize laboratory performance.
Why partner with SGS for onsite laboratory and outsourcing solutions?
During my 25 years at SGS, my teams and I have provided clients across the oil, gas and chemical industries with tailored onsite laboratory and outsourcing solutions for customers in mid- and downstream operations.We have delivered hundreds of onsite and outsourced laboratory projects worldwide, supporting everything from small laboratories at terminal facilities to large laboratories at refinery, petrochemical and LNG operations in a wide range of environments, from major industrial hubs to remote operating locations. Across every project, delivering accurate, timely data while meeting strict safety and compliance requirements has been critical.
But what makes laboratory partnerships truly effective, and how can organizations ensure they achieve long-term value from these models? Based on my experience supporting laboratories globally, there are key principles that consistently contribute to success.
Defining the right laboratory model: what do you really need?
For most operations, the client’s journey begins with a simple question – what do we really need?To answer that question, we work closely with our customers to understand their operational requirements, process demands and long-term objectives. These assessments are not one-time exercises, but part of an ongoing partnership approach that helps ensure the laboratory continues to align with evolving operational requirements over time.
Key questions typically include:
- What laboratory availability, capability and capacity do you require onsite?
- Which data points are truly critical to your processes and products?
- How frequently do analyses need to be performed?
- What level of service coverage is required to support operations reliably?
How do we generate successful synergies?
With more than 200 laboratories in over 70 countries, all ISO 9001 certified and most ISO/IEC 17025 accredited, we bring established QHSE procedures and systems, and operational expertise from day one.
But what does that mean for our clients?
It means that when we start up or take over laboratory operations, our teams, systems and resources are already in place, supported by deep operational knowledge and decades of experience supporting end-to-end laboratory operations.
Our specialists are ready to support the set-up of laboratories covering the full range of oil, gas and chemical commodities, including renewable fuels such as HVO, SAF and e-fuels, through our global competence centers.
But not all analyses need to be performed onsite. By leveraging nearby SGS laboratories and existing capabilities, we can reduce CAPEX while maintaining high-quality performance and excellent turnaround times. Making these operational synergies visible and measurable enables our clients to make informed decisions regarding the most effective laboratory models for their operations.
Driving continuous improvement
Continuous improvement is central to every long-term laboratory partnership.
Through Lean and World Class Services programs, we continuously optimize laboratory operations and collaboration models. These initiatives help improve efficiency and reduce costs, and support faster operational decision-making.
Typical improvements include:
- Aligning plant sampling and laboratory workflows
- Optimizing test scope and analysis frequency
- Adjusting service coverage to operational needs
- Introducing rapid screening technologies for process control
Building long-term laboratory partnerships
While the recipe for each of our laboratory partnerships is different, all successful collaborations are built on commitment, transparency and continuous optimization.
By combining a collaborative approach with global expertise and operational excellence, we help our clients optimize laboratory performance and strengthen confidence in their analytical data.
Ultimately, the most successful laboratory partnerships are those that continue to evolve – delivering safer operations, greater efficiency and long-term value across the entire production lifecycle.
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