Noble Innovator undergoes maintenance at Aberdeen’s South Harbour
The Noble Innovator jackup is berthed at Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour and will see maintenance works being undertaken by Semco Maritime and other local supply chain companies prior to its deployment back to the North Sea to undertake decommissioning activity for BP.
Semco has been contracted to provide a range of support services while the rig is in Aberdeen for a special periodical survey (SPS), including project management, hull rebranding, quayside support, scaffolding and supply of blue-collar personnel.
The quayside contract has been hailed a boost to the local economy, where personnel from the surrounding area will be employed, as well as engagement with tooling and industrial suppliers to provide local support for provisions.
“We are excited to be part of this fast turnaround project, collaborating closely with our partners and suppliers to deliver a safe and efficient return of the Innovator to the North Sea,” said David Hutchinson, Managing Director of Semco. “Rig services play a major part in the overall Semco Maritime offering, and we have executed many similar projects on a global scale. The chance to complete this project on our doorstep was met with great enthusiasm and we look forward to its successful completion”.
Semco Maritime’s Operations Manager, Phil MacDonald, commented: “Aberdeen has not seen something of its kind since the ’70s, and we are proud to have brought this to the new harbour. This project demonstrates Aberdeen has the infrastructure and strong supply chain needed to support the energy market for many years to come.”
Roddy James, Chief Commercial Officer, Port of Aberdeen, said: “This type of vessel and project activity would have previously sailed past the city, often destined for a European port, capable of handling their requirements. With South Harbour, we can attract this type of project which supports local jobs and generates significant spend and investment in the local supply chain.
South Harbour offers 1.5 km of deepwater berths (9 to 15 m deep) and can accommodate ships up to 300 m in length. It also has extensive heavy-lift zones (15 tonnes/sq m), and 125,000 sq m of flexible laydown space with expansive project areas.
There has been very high utilization of berths and operational quayside areas during the phased opening of South Harbour, which kicked off in July 2022, and construction is scheduled to complete in Q2 2023.
