LEADING BUSINESSES JOIN FORCES TO DELIVER A ONE-STOP DECOM HUB AND POTENTIAL NEW VIRTUAL DEEP WATER QUAYSIDE

In the Firth of Forth, F&TD will consider utilising Scotland’s natural resources by taking the quayside to the deep water through the creation a new virtual deep water port at a deep water anchorage. A feasibility study has been commissioned and is being carried out by Bureau Veritas to look into the viability of the creation of the floating deep water quayside capable of accommodating the very largest decommissioning projects.

Commenting on the new alliance, Callum Falconer, Chief Executive of Dundeecom, said: “Today is an exciting day as we launch Forth and Tay Decommissioning. This is the natural evolution of Dundeecom, which was started two years ago with the vision of creating a decommissioning hub in Dundee. This vision is now being realised.

“F&TD will create the framework for a sustainable, profitable and low cost decommissioning industry in Dundee, and better serve the future needs of our industry in Scotland. We are supporting and aligning with the UK Government and industry regulators through our new model for decommissioning. I am confident that the feasibility study, also announced toda,y for a virtual deep water quayside will demonstrate that there is an opportunity to take an alternative approach by taking the quayside to the deep water thus capitalising on the natural deep water in the Forth.”

One of the founding partners, Charles Hammond, Chief Executive of Forth Ports (owners of the Port of Dundee), said: “Through significant private investment and strong partnerships, Dundee now offers a full service for the North Sea Oil and Gas decommissioning sector.  The proximity to the skills base in Dundee, along with unrivaled land space and heavy lift quayside, makes Dundee the logical choice for large scale decommissioning in Scotland. The study into a virtual deep water quay will ensure that we take advantage of the deep water in the Forth to accommodate the largest of decom projects.”

By establishing a permanent UK base for end-to-end service delivery, Forth and Tay Decommissioning will successfully eliminate the high cost, effort and risk of relocating talent and equipment for traditional project-based decommissioning. Dundee in particular offers a highly-skilled local workforce, with access to major transport links for easy commuting and streamlined logistics, while the Port of Dundee’s strategic location, ample dockside, and portcentric infrastructure make it the ideal domestic hub for decommissioning.