Flying start for Port Services Engineering after award of new drill rig upgrade contract
Port Services Engineering Ltd (PSEL) – a new company just launched by the Invergordon based Port Services Group – is celebrating after winning its first contract in Las Palmas to upgrade a drilling rig.
PSEL was created as part of the ongoing development programme by the Port Services Group to expand its specialised offshore logistics operations into new areas. The new company will focus on providing full turnkey project management and specialist engineering support for the inspection, repair and maintenance of offshore installations.
The contract just awarded is for the upgrade of the drilling rig GA3, with the work being carried out at the Astican shipyard in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain.
According to chairman Les Clark, the award of this first contract for PSEL signals new opportunities for the group to offer its specialist expertise on a global basis, including the potential for new development opportunities in the Cromarty Firth.
“By offering these services globally, Port Services anticipates this will result in new and sustainable job opportunities,” he said.
Confidence in the new company has resulted in PSEL being invited to tender on all rig upgrades due to berth in Invergordon this year, with two contracts having been awarded to date.
Around 50 local men have been taken on to support the rig upgrade in Grand Canaria and it is anticipated that they will continue to be employed on these new rig projects.
Les Clark said: “I now see huge opportunities to attract more inspection, repair and maintenance projects to the Cromarty Firth. At the moment we are seeing huge demand for dry docks for such work and hope that in the not too distant future this will result in the reactivation of the Nigg facility, which we will certainly be able to utilise.”
Director of PSEL, Paul Clark, said: “We have also made a major investment in our heavy crane division with the arrival of a TC2800-1 crane in June. The 1,000 tonne crane is one of only three in the UK. This £4m investment marks a real milestone as the single biggest investment in the local supply chain for many years.
“Our clients find our in-house total turnkey packages a very attractive option.”
Last month, Port Services acquired a majority interest in Scrabster Port Services Ltd so as to enable the company to take advantage of the predicted surge in offshore activity to the West of Shetland. It also recently announced the creation of a new Aberdeen division – Port Services (Aberdeen) Ltd - as part of its strategy to become one of the UK’s leading offshore logistics support organisations.
Back to Latest News
