Norwegian energy giant Statoil has revealed it expects to create hundreds of jobs in the north east with development of the 250-million barrel Mariner field in the North Sea.
It said the £4 billion heavy crude development, around 80 miles south east of Shetland, will provide work for around 500 people offshore as well as 200 onshore posts by the time it is fully operational in 2017.
The firm’s Aberdeen-based workforce, based at rented offices in Chapel Street, has already mushroomed from just three people to nearly 100 since the start of last year.
It is expected to expand further as it ramps up preparations towards the end of this year.
Statoil says the Mariner project will account for some 6,000 jobs globally, including supply chain roles.
Meanwhile, development of the adjacent Bressay field remains on hold while Statoil tries to figure out a cheaper way to reach the oil there.
Investment in the reserve, which is thought to hold the same amount of oil as Mariner, would create hundreds more jobs.
The firm has secured new offices at Prime Four in the Kingswells area of the city after an exhaustive examination of 28 potential locations.
Yesterday’s confirmation of a heads of terms agreement between Statoil and Drum Property Group brings to an end speculation that it had been heading for the site of the Marcliffe Hotel & Spa following its closure later this year.
“We are encouraged by the interest and attention we have received from the city, and we feel very welcome as a new entrant to Aberdeen’s thriving oil industry,” said Statoil vice-president for western Europe Gunnar Breivik.