Arkex has opened the exploration gravity gradiometer (EGG) flight test facility at Cambridge Airport, U.K. One of two prototype EGG’s will move to the new flight test facility to begin airborne and remote site trials.  

The EGG is Arkex’s own bespoke gravity gradiometer designed to aid oil, gas and mining companies in surveying subsurface geology. It utilizes the concept of superconductivity and operates at 4° above absolute zero (-269°C), which allows greater sensitivity and stability. The EGG is designed to be an order of magnitude more sensitive than current instruments enabling a wider range of geologies to be surveyed in greater detail, claimed the company.

“Providing the engineering team easy access to aircraft and airport facilities will allow for a natural acceleration of the program,” said John Siegfried, Arkex chief executive, “with a dedicated facility we will be able to step up the pace of operational development and commercialization of the EGG.”

Richard Foster-Turner, Arkex instruments general manager, commented, “Cambridge Airport offers the range of facilities we require for our extensive testing program. With one EGG dedicated to trials at the flight test facility we can continue with laboratory optimization of the second EGG.”