BG plc's Pipeline Integrity International (PII) division has won The Queen's Award for Export Achievement 1997.

PII provides high resolution inspection and maintenance services for gas, oil and chemical pipelines, and generates 90 per cent of its 64 million annual turnover from outside the UK.

It is the third time that PII, based in Cramlington, Northumberland, has won the Queen's Award for Export. PII previously received the award in 1991, and in 1988 when it also won the Queen's Award for Technology.

PII worked in more than 30 countries and increased its business in Mexico, Russia and several eastern European countries in 1996.

Also during 1996, PII became the world's first pipeline inspection company to have carried out the high resolution survey of more than 100,000 kilometres of pipeline.

David Varney, Chief Executive of BG plc, said: "PII has achieved considerable international success against strong opposition. Their technical expertise, matched by marketing skills and innovation have made them market leaders in a highly competitive field."

Six years ago, PII opened a sales office in Houston, which has now developed into a wholly-owned subsidiary. In 1996, further sales offices were opened in Buenos Aires and Singapore.

Notes to Editors

Pipeline Integrity International surveys pipelines internationally using the high-technology inspection vehicle known as the 'intelligent pig.' The vehicle contains hundreds of sensors which detect and measure any abnormalities in the steel of the pipeline. The onboard computer collects and organises the data, allowing speedy analysis which provides engineers with detailed information on the pipeline's condition.

The inspection vehicles are continually being updated and their cost of manufacture, maintenance and operation reduced to allow prices to remain competitive. Vehicles are now being produced to cover a greater range of pipeline sizes, and cope with pipelines containing bore reductions, bends and high temperatures.