Dundee-based Well-Safe Solutions has awarded two multi-million-pound contracts to convert a former drilling rig to a decommissioning asset
Well-Safe announced in April that it had acquired the Ocean Guardian drilling unit from Diamond Offshore.
The firm, which took a large site at the Port of Dundee towards the end of 2017, said it intended to invest around $100 million to give the unit the plug and abandonment capabilities.
Global Energy Group and Rigfit7seas have been appointed to deliver the ambitious refurbishment of the semi-submersible drilling rig.
Global will provide quayside services and the paintwork scope while Rigfit7seas will provide accommodation upgrade services.
As part of the upgrade, Well-Safe will be installing a dive system and the capability to deploy a subsea intervention lubricator.
Phil Milton, chief executive of Well-Safe Solutions, said: “The award of these contracts, within the timeframes we committed to, will ensure that this bespoke plug and abandonment asset will be available to the industry in 2020.”
Aberdeen-headquartered Well-Safe was launched in August 2017 with the vision to become a tier one wells decommissioning company.
The company expects to add around 90 staff over the next year, of which between 10 and 15 will be based in Dundee.
Mr Milton added: “We believe we are now a key part of helping the industry achieve its 35% decommissioning cost reduction target.
“Joint well plug and abandonment campaigns, using our club approach will not only be more cost efficient, but also help build UK supply chain expertise in decommissioning.”
Global Energy Group, who have been supporting Well-Safe with marine operations and quayside services since April this year, have secured the contract to support the upgrades and life extension works at the Port of Nigg.
Global said around 80 staff would be engaged in the rig conversion until the end of the year.
Rigfit7seas said the contract would involve up to 50 staff.
Brian Knowles, group managing director of Rigfit7seas, said: “As the leading contractor in the market for accommodation upgrade services, this award will see Rigfit7Seas execute another project destined for operation in the North Sea.
“The project award further enhances our already extensive offering in the international marketplace and, at peak, will secure around 50 jobs across our engineering and construction teams for approximately 100 days, starting immediately.”
The latest research indicates more than 33,000 wells worldwide will need to be decommissioned over the next 20 years.
rmclaren@thecourier.co.uk