Petrofac has taken over responsibility for the management of the Montrose and Arbroath platforms in a contract with Paladin Expro Ltd.
The agreement marks the first time that a facilities management company has assumed duty holder status for fixed platforms in the North Sea.
The Montrose and Arbroath platforms will become part of Petrofac's portfolio of managed facilities in the UK sector of the North Sea. The company also manages the Northern Producer floating production facility, operating on ChevronTexaco's Galley field since 1997, and supports the operation of 20 fields in the North Sea.
"This innovative role really points the way forward for service companies in what is a rapidly changing industry in this part of the world," said John Methven, operations director of Petrofac Facilities Management. "We will build on this new method of working, and reinforce our position at the forefront of the service industry as more opportunities in field management arise."
Paladin Expro Ltd. recently became the license operator for the Montrose, Arbroath, and Arkwright fields after acquiring a majority shareholding from BP and Amerada Hess. Paladin entered into an alliance with Petrofac and Helix RDS, the independent petroleum consultancy, to operate the fields.
Under the alliance, Petrofac is responsible for the safe and effective operation of the production facilities.
05/20/03