Aberdeen is set to gain a major new energy technology testing hub, with the Net Zero Technology Centre preparing to reopen the former Weatherford Evaluation Centre at Aberdeen Energy Park in Bridge of Don.

The site, which closed in 2020, will be brought back into use under a long-term lease agreed between NZTC and AM Sci Tech, a Manchester-based subsidiary of Hurstwood Holdings and owner of Aberdeen Energy & Innovation Parks.

The move represents a major milestone for Scotland’s energy transition sector and will see the former Weatherford site repurposed as a testing facility for technologies used across offshore deployment, decommissioning, well operations, asset integrity, and emerging low-carbon energy applications.

NZTC said the launch of the Technology Testing Hub creates an opportunity for Aberdeen to strengthen its position as a global centre for energy innovation. According to the organisation, the nearest equivalent facility is located in Norway.

The agreement also marks a new chapter for NZTC as it moves towards a commercially driven, self-sustaining model. The centre is reshaping its work with industry, moving away from a broad, publicly funded innovation remit towards a more focused approach. This will include targeted government-funded programmes, an expanded technology services arm, and the continued growth of TechX, its energy start-up accelerator.

At the heart of the new hub will be a state-of-the-art testing facility designed to support equipment validation before offshore deployment and decommissioning. NZTC said the facility will provide a full-scale, realistic simulation environment for testing technologies, systems, and methodologies used in drilling and well operations, without requiring costly offshore deployment.

The site includes four boreholes of varying specifications, including a directionally drilled well. The deepest extends to 4,000 feet, which NZTC said is approximately equivalent to stacking The Shard four times.

A multi-million-pound drilling rig will also be installed on-site, while construction of modular, two-storey office buildings is already in planning. The offices are expected to be operational by autumn 2026, with rig installation scheduled for September.

NZTC’s renewed testing offering will be structured around three operational hubs: a Wells Test & Demonstration Centre, an Asset Integrity Testing Centre, and a UAS Operations Centre.

The Wells Test & Demonstration Centre will enable operators to test and validate well technologies in the North East of Scotland. The Asset Integrity Testing Centre will support lifecycle management and performance optimisation, while the UAS Operations Centre will focus on advanced aerial inspection and monitoring technologies.

The facility will operate as a flexible, hireable testing environment, giving companies access to full-scale testing with configurable setups tailored to specific operational requirements. NZTC said the aim is to help companies de-risk operations before offshore deployment.

Under the new commercial model, NZTC will be funded through industry partnerships, service provision, and a membership framework aligned with its testing and technology hubs. The centre is expected to attract international oil and energy service companies, with ambitions to expand its customer base into markets including Norway.

The site is also expected to support future activity in decommissioning, which is forecast to dominate the UK Continental Shelf over the next decade. NZTC said the facility will also be positioned to support opportunities in well intervention, geothermal energy, district heating, and carbon capture and storage.

The agreement follows investment by AM Sci Tech to repurpose the facility for evolving industry needs. Since acquiring the site in January 2025, half of the facility has been let to Norwegian-owned tool rental business RTS. Further asset management and investment has also been undertaken to secure NZTC as a long-term occupant.

David Cameron, Head of Industry & Commercial Projects at NZTC, said: “This move marks a pivotal moment in our evolution. Transitioning to a commercially sustainable model allows us to continue supporting the energy sector with world-class testing facilities, while driving innovation in net zero and beyond.

“investment in this facility, including the installation of a full-scale drilling rig and advanced testing infrastructure, demonstrates our commitment to supporting the energy sector through its transition to net zero.

“By creating a highly realistic, configurable testing environment, we are enabling operators and technology developers to de-risk innovation before deployment offshore. This not only improves safety and efficiency but accelerates the adoption of new technologies across decommissioning, well intervention and emerging areas such as geothermal and carbon capture. We are proud to continue our role in driving innovation from the North East of Scotland while building a sustainable, industry-backed future.”

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Gordon Pirie, Asset Manager at AM Sci Tech, added: “This is a story of industrial regeneration, reflecting the continued evolution of the site. Securing NZTC as a long-term occupier is a major milestone and a strong endorsement of both the location and our vision for Aberdeen Energy & Innovation Parks. This agreement represents a significant multi-million-pound investment, transforming the site into a highly specialised, future-ready facility aligned with the evolving needs of the energy sector.

“Working closely with NZTC, we have repurposed the site to integrate large-scale testing infrastructure, modular office space and a drilling rig, creating a unique UK offering. This demonstrates how proactive asset management and targeted investment can unlock economic opportunities, attract international occupiers and reinforce Aberdeen’s global position in energy transition and decommissioning.

“By enabling the testing and scaling of innovations, the site will support regional resilience, inward investment and a just transition.”