Lerwick harbour bosses have set out their plans for the Shetland port to become a decommissioning centre of excellence.
Representatives from the offshore oil and gas industry, government agencies, port users and other key players were given an insight into operations and opportunities there yesterday. The event was arranged to celebrate the £11.95million expansion of its Dales Voe facility, supported by £2.39million in funding from the Scottish Government, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Bank of Scotland.
It took place against the backdrop of the former Buchan Alpha floating production unit, which is in Lerwick to be decommissioned under a contract awarded by Repsol Sinopec Resources UK to Veolia.
Speakers included Oil and Gas Authority operations director Gunther Newcombe, Oil and Gas UK chief executive Deirdre Michie and HIE energy and low carbon director Audrey MacIver. Lerwick Port Authority chief executive Sandra Laurenson said: “The port’s extensive experience, expanded capability, competiveness and now the presence of Buchan Alpha all reinforce our position as a leader in the emerging decommissioning market.
“As well as celebrating the investment recently made by the port, we are looking ahead to future requirements, with Lerwick being seen increasingly as the potential location for a UK ultra-deep-water decommissioning facility to suit the largest semi-submersible crane vessels.
“It would allow us to compete with overseas locations, with significant benefits to Shetland, Scotland and the UK.”