Offshore grouting contractor FoundOcean has been awarded two contracts by Heerema Marine Contractors and Bibby Offshore for the Solan oilfield development to the west of the Shetlands in the North Sea.

The contracts cover the structural grouting for the 8,000t Solan platform jacket and its specially designed 300,000-barrel subsea storage facility in water depths of 135m. FoundOcean will also pile-grout the offloading system base, which will carry oil from the subsea storage facility to a shuttle tanker. Offshore work is expected to start this summer.

FoundOcean managing director Jim Bell said: "Our continual technical innovation and our commitment to safety has helped preserve our strong position in North Sea oil and gas construction. We’re delighted that both these very important clients are once again recognising FoundOcean’s experience and capabilities to deliver on this high-profile development."

This is the latest in a run of significant contract awards for FoundOcean this year, as the company continues to secure the foundations for future energy.