Hertel’s offshore division has been awarded a contract to design, build and modify living quarters for Nexen Petroleum UK’s Buzzard platform in the central North Sea after a tough and competitive tender.
The relationship between the two companies dates back to 2005, when Hertel completed the design and outfitting works for the original Buzzard living quarters and in 2011 completed the Front End Engineering Design (FEED) study for the new extension.
Members of the Hertel team who worked on the original Buzzard living quarters will provide their valuable experience and expertise to the extension project.
Hertel opened new offices in Aberdeen back in 2010, which Hertel Offshore’s managing director, Jon Rokk, believes could have contributed to the award. "Our specialised team in Aberdeen brings us closer to our clients providing on hand support and gives us the opportunity to work closely with Nexen improving efficiencies," he said.
The contract includes the engineering, procurement and construction of living quarters for an additional 60 people, which will increase the onboard capacity of the platform to 180.
Hertel’s engineering director Simon Hay commented: "Working with Nexen and engineering agent, Aker Solutions, and using our previous experience on the platform, our design has provided a real value and enabled us to find the best solution to the accommodation issues at Buzzard."
The build of the new living quarters will take place at one of Hertel’s facilities in Teesside, which is specifically designed for the fabrication of large offshore structures. Fabrication is due to start at the end of February 2012 and will create around 40 jobs.
Jon Rokk added: "We were in a competitive tendering situation so it required our focus, professionalism and talent to secure the work. A project of this size can only be secured though a genuine team effort.
"We set out with a defined strategy to secure this project almost two years ago, and that plan has been executed accordingly. In November 2010, we were awarded the concept FEED, with the detailed FEED coming shortly afterwards. Securing the full design and EPC contract completes the process and demonstrates our ability as a full life-cycle partner for our clients."