Peterson and Veolia announce new decommissioning facility

Peterson, an international energy logistics provider, in partnership with Veolia, the UK’s leading environmental solutions provider, has ­recently announced a £1 million investment in the development of a new, purpose built decommissioning facility in Great Yarmouth. The new site in Great Yarmouth port, operated and developed in co-operation with joint venture partner Veolia and with support funding from NewAnglia LEP, will provide operators in the Southern North Sea (SNS) access to a full service decommissioning facility, as well as Veolia-Peterson’s market leading expertise and experience.

The new facility will be within easy reach of the SNS

Announced at the Westminster reception, held by the East of England’s Energy Group on 17 June 2015, the investment will create a bespoke facility located in the western terminal of the recently developed Outer Harbour at Great Yarmouth port. This will enable topside, jackets and subsea equipment to be off loaded for dismantling and recycling. Locating Veolia-Peterson’s expertise in Great Yarmouth will provide operators with a facility within easy reach of the SNS, thus minimising the risk and costs associated with transporting infrastructure. 

Peterson was awarded £70 000 from New Anglia LEP’s flagship Growing Business Fund, to help establish the new facility. The centre, based at the Outer Harbour, is located on one of six sites on the Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft Enterprise Zone.

Due to be operational in July 2015, Veolia-Peterson expects to create up to seven new jobs initially, with this expected to increase in line with project requirements and market demand. Peterson has been operating in Great Yarmouth since 1997 and employs 30 people at its existing facility which provides quayside and logistics services.

High costs for decommissioning

James Johnson, Decommissioning Manager at Peterson, said: “As recently highlighted by industry body Decom North Sea, costs for decommissioning North Sea offshore assets over the next decade are forecast to be around £14.6 billion. We have a real opportunity, working in collaboration with our partners, to establish Great Yarmouth as the centre for decommissioning for the SNS, delivering comprehensive, safe and cost-effective decommissioning solutions.”  

Ian Williams, Industrial Services Director at Veolia stated: “This new decommissioning facility allows us to provide the oil and gas industry an even larger portfolio of facilities across the whole North Sea. Through our established track record and unrivalled experience in compliance and reuse we can help customers exceed their environmental targets.”

Boosting employment in the UK

Colleen Walker, Chair of Norfolk County Council's Economic Development Sub-committee said: “This is a significant deal for both Eastport and for Great Yarmouth, and I am delighted the County Council has been able to provide key guidance in order to help this deal come to fruition. Decommissioning work will now take place at Eastport for many years to come – boosting employment opportunities locally, and reinforcing the East of England Energy Zone as the premier location for the energy sector.”

 

Edited from press release by Cecilia Rehn

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/offshore-and-subsea/18062015/peterson-and-veolia-announce-new-decommissioning-facility/