Bilfinger Salamis UK Bags Murchison Decommissioning Contract

Aberdeen-headquartered industrial services contractor Bilfinger Salamis UK has been awarded a significant contract for the supply of the fabric maintenance services support and access solutions by Aker Solutions for the first stage of decommissioning CNR International’s Murchison Platform.

The contract will initially see the company provide alternative system scaffold, multi-discipline rope access teams and fabric maintenance services over the next three years, with scope to extend service range as the project develops.

Bilfinger Salamis UK has a broad range of services which support various stages of the decommissioning process, including initial survey work, integrity management, alternative access, rope access, supply of deck crew, vessel management, cold cutting, industrial cleaning and handling of hazardous waste e.g asbestos.

Bilfinger Salamis UK has worked with CNRI for over three years on the company’s Northern North Sea assets – Ninian Central, Ninian Northern, Ninian Southern, Tiffany and Murchison platforms, providing a full range of services including onshore project management, offshore scaffolding, painting, insulation, Passive Fire Protection (PFP), and industrial cleaning, shutdown management.

Bilfinger Salamis UK Managing Director Graham Hayward commented: “This is a significant contract for Bilfinger Salamis UK and we look forward to building a positive working relationship with Aker Solutions.

“Bilfinger Salamis UK fully understand the constraints and drivers involved in successful execution of such a project. We have successfully delivered several major projects and campaigns in the last five years and are well placed in our market sector with both the capability and capacity to provide the extensive supervision and resources required to undertake major decommissioning projects.

He added: “We already have proven delivery, an unblemished safety record, and excellent existing relationships and culture on CNRI assets, and we hope to continue this during this next stage in the Murchison’s life cycle.”

First commissioned in 1980, Murchison has produced more than 390 million barrels of oil equivalent and has played an integral part in the UK’s energy business. The Murchison field lies in UK Block 211/19 and extends into the Norwegian Block 33/9 in the northern North Sea, 150 kilometres northeast of Shetland. The platform stands in a water depth of 156 metres.