After the success of the KBR headquarters in Leatherhead producing a flexible working space environment to allow communication and a collaborative working environment for large engineering projects, Blair Associates Architecture Ltd were commissioned by Aera Energy to provide a solution to the complex working environment at Belridge, California, USA.

Belridge oil field comprises a complex web of oil extraction, surface oil known as Tulari and subsurface heavy oil known as Diatomite positioned on top of each other and requiring totally different methods of extraction. Diatomite requires pressurised steam injection pumping hundreds of ft down whereas Tulari is fluid and requires a totally different method of extraction. The two forms of extraction are occurring in the same space by differently skilled professionals creating conflicting agendas one compromising the other. The workforce is split around the field without a clear understanding of the others objectives.

Blair Associates Architecture Ltd reviewed the working methods and created a building which is made for both surface and sub surface teams with large screens identifying targets, new extraction locations, pipeline diversions, pressurised steam and reservoir requirements. The solution provided a fully integrated working team carefully planning strategies together creating a unified and successful working method. The complex at Belridge is known as the Oasis Aera Energy Centre. The facility has been visited by many oil companies such as Royal Dutch Shell Company who adopted the solution in Oman working together with PDO (Petroleum Development Oman. Blair Associates Architecture Ltd provided a concept building bigger than the Belridge project for Oman.