Ash Regan: Breaking up Highland Council I think that's a very good idea, Humza Yousaf: CalMac should be 'decentralised and based in the heart of our community', PICTURES: World Book Day fun at Miller primary PICTURES: World Book Day fun at Miller primary, Kate Forbes: 'Lets start by breaking up Highland Council you heard it here first'. At its height, the yard employed about 4,500 people but it closed in 2001 as demand dropped. A Derbyshire-based land and property developer has emerged as the new owner of the former fabrication yard at Ardersier, in the Highlands, following a 5million deal. At more than 400 acres - and with more than a kilometre of quayside - Ardersier is the largest brownfield port in the UK. Scotland 4 year apprenticship as mechanic/ welder/ plater. Elevated distant view of the Pipe Mill buildings from SSE. View from W within Pipe Mill building, showing pit exposed by removal of large-scale plant. The site has been bought for just over 5m, according to a document from KPMG, the administrator for the . Energy Voice 2023. The former owners had hoped to turn the yard, originally built to fabricate massive steel jackets for North Sea oil platforms, into a manufacturing super-hub for offshore wind. View from E of SE and NE (open) side of Deck Assembly building. According to the groups figures, it made pre-tax profits of 18.2million in the year to March 31, 2016, with a turnover of 46.6million for the year. The potential of this site, if put into productive use, is enormous and if that potential is realised, there is a clear prospect of the creation of a substantial numbers of jobs.. Ardersier's long dormant fabrication yard is set to take on a new life as one of Europe's most important locations for renewable energy and decommissioning, according to its new owners. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can The former McDermott fabrication yard at Ardersier is under new ownership. Ardersier Port (Scotland) describes the facility as the largest brownfield port in the United Kingdom and say it has been identified as one of just three UK east coast sites with the size, scale, shape, and location capable of being an offshore renewable energy hub port. Ardersier, Oil Rig Construction Yard expected to be delivered by the beginning of February. Their aim is to have nothing moved off-site, so there will be no waste from the site. New owners state that dredging will commence this year and the renewables-focused port should be open in 2022, Sign up to The Climate Agenda - the one-stop shop for green businesses and those fighting climate change. Interior. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Based in Brailsford, Derbyshire, the CWC Group was founded in 1964 by Charles Clowes, who went on to feature regularly in the Sunday Times Rich List of Britains richest people. CWC Group now lists the 700 acre site, near Nairn, among its nationwide portfolio of 118 properties, but the companys plans for the land are not yet known. General oblique aerial view of Ardersier, looking to the SW. Courtesy of HES (G D B Jones Collection). At its height the yard employed about 4,500 people, but it closed in 2001 as demand dropped. Find Jeremy Cresswell's email address, contact information, LinkedIn, Twitter, other social media and more. ), adajacent to former Slipways. Developers are seeking the go ahead to turn a former oil fabrication yard in the Highlands into a manufacturing "super-hub" for renewables . View of the Pipe Mill buildings from SSE. But the involvement with SLP could develop into joint bids being, submitted by MacDermotts and SLP for the larger contracts due to be, awarded later this year. Nigg Bay and Ardersier Fabrication Yards, Scotland Structural Draftsman MacKellar Sub-Sea Ltd Sep 1993 - Apr 1994 8 months. Ardersier's dormant fabrication yard is set to take on a new life as one of Europe's most important locations for renewable energy and decommissioning, according to its new owners. General view from NE of former NE spoolbase storage racks. General view from S of Deck Assembly building (centre), with High-level Warehouse (left). It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse. Access to the site is gained via a dedicated 2.5km long access road, which links to the B9092 to the south. Plater in deck assembly on topside modules. Historic Environment Scotland. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories. The former McDermott fabrication yard at Ardersier is under new ownership. "When you have a dream and you dont know how to say no, you can live your dream. The yard on the Moray Firth once employed 4,500 people. Plans to transform the former oil fabrication yard at Ardersier and bring it back into use have been approved. We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse. View from SW across from the yard to the Whiteness Spit. About Places Records Transcribe Contact. Oblique view from W along SW side of Deck Assembly building, showing low bay (Plate pre-fabrication) and the High-level Warehouse. Interior. A link has been emailed to you - check your inbox. View from SE at main entrance, showing Pipe Mill buildings. Offshore wind logistics and fabrication and sustainable energy production are also on their wish list. Click here to sign up to our free newsletters. Inverness cancer survivor runs 83 miles in aid of charity that helped him during treatment, China looks at reforms to deepen Xi's control, Historic ocean treaty agreed after decade of talks, Inside the enclave surrounded by pro-Russia forces, 'The nurses wanted me to feel guilty about my abortion, From Afghan TV fame to a US factory floor. [2] However, a fall in demand finally led to the facility's closure in 2001. The facility was formerly owned by Derbyshire-based land and property developer CWC Group, which bought the yard in 2016 in a 5 million deal after its previous owner went into administration. Bull Arm Fabrication Yard, Newfoundland Halliburton 5 years 11 months Structural Draftsman Halliburton . By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies -. What sparked a 'ferocious frenzy of bidding' at Dingwall Mart's sheep sale? Apr 1994 - Sep 1998 4 years 6 months. A new slipway will be created along with a 300m steel mill and a concrete production plant. Business partners Tony OSullivan and Steve Regan have acquired the former McDermott fabrication site from Clowes Developments for an undisclosed sum. Plans to turn a former oil fabrication yard in Scottish Ardersier into a manufacturing 'super-hub' for offshore wind have faced their first hurdle. THE oil fabrication yard at Ardersier on the Moray Firth could be, about to re-open, after being on a care and maintenance basis since, April, 1993. View from NW within Plate Cutting Shop at SE end of Pipe Mill building. Read about our approach to external linking. View from E of NE side of Fabrication Shop. Distant general view of yard from SE, with the approach road stretching out in the foreground, and the Moray Firth and Black Isle in the background. View from S along SE side of Deck Assembly building (right) and Plate Warehouse (left), Ardersier Oil Rig Construction Yard. Plans to build floating wind turbines by recycling redundant oil platforms could create 4500 jobs in the Highlands. All Rights Reserved. View from S of open bay of Fabrication building to SE side of Deck Assembly building (possibly paint shop). View from NW along foundation of Pipe Handling area with Fabrication Shops and Pipe Mill buildings beyond. Port of Ardersier Ltd went into administration last year. There has been widespread speculation over the future of the site since it went on the market earlier this year after its previous owners, Port of Ardersier, went into administration. The low blue and white building is the yard centeen, the size of which shows the imeesity of Deck Assembly building beyond. View from SE of open bay of Fabrication building to SE side of Deck Assembly building (possibly paint shop). Steve Regan, a former chief executive of civil engineering firm Careys, and business. Tank at the former Barmac Oil Fabrication Yard. The Allyance is a development partnership comprising BayWa r.e., a global renewable energy business with UK offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh, Elicio, an experienced Belgian offshore wind developer, owner and operator, and BW Ideol, a proven floating technology leader and international floating wind project co-developer. View from S of Paint Hangar (? That the Parliament notes that more than 1,500 former employees of the Ardersier fabrication yard were compulsory contributors to the McDermott UK pension plan which was first introduced in 1975; further notes that subscriptions continued to be collected until five years ago when McDermott joined with Brown and Root at Nigg to form the Barmac Senior Highland councillor Jimmy Gray, a union leader who worked at the yard as a welder between 1975 and 2000, is optimistic the fresh investment will result in Scotland getting a bigger slice of the renewables cake in terms of jobs and financial return. Gordon Arthur, director at Clowes Developments, commented: "We are delighted to complete the deal which will no doubt see the site prosper within the renewable energy market. "Dredging will commence this year and the port will be open in 2022.". Although completed on Friday July 8, news of the sale was greeted with surprise in the Highlands this week. However, a fall in demand finally led to the facility's closure in 2001. In 2016, Clowes Developments purchased the site from administration for 5m. 1974 The sites sale was revealed in a recent progress report by administrators KPMG. General view from S along SW side of Pipe Mill buildings. Aerial view of Ardersier Oil rig Fabrication Yard, near Nairn, looking NW. View of cast-concrete pieces to SW side of the Deck Assembly building. The authorities have more recently backed the ports potential as a site for renewables-related development as part of the Scottish Governments national renewables infrastructure plan. When the Ardersier site was put up for sale in February it was specified that it should be taken on in its entirety rather than being broken up. Port of Ardersier Ltd, formed in 2012 to develop the former former oil and gas fabrication yard into an offshore wind manufacturing hub, had won Scottish Government consent last year to bring the site back into use. Historic ocean treaty agreed after decade of talks, China looks at reforms to deepen Xi's control, Inside the enclave surrounded by pro-Russia forces. 2023 BBC. Ardersier's dormant fabrication yard is set to take on a new life as one of Europe's most important locations for renewable energy and decommissioning, according to its new owners. Ardersier Port Ltd separately has approval to resurrect the 741-acres (300ha) site as a working port. Worked on various projects at Nigg and Ardersier Fabrication yards in Scotland, Terra Nova FPSO Project in St John's Newfoundland Canada, Barracuda and Carratinga FPSO's in Rio de Janeiro and was seconded Agip in Dubai UAE on Kashagan project Mike #McDermott employees and families rolled up their sleeves to clean 10 . Read about our approach to external linking. Newsquest Media Group Ltd, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. View from W of main Fabrication Shops (left), and Shot-blast building. CWC Group now lists the. CWC Group now lists the 700-acre site, near Nairn, among its nationwide portfolio of 118 properties, but the companys plans for the land are not yet known. Based in Brailsford, Derbyshire, the CWC Group was founded in 1964 by Charles Clowes, who went on to feature regularly in a London newspapers list of Britains richest people. The company had previously been given planning permission in principle from Highland Council to construct offshore wind farms at the site. Aerial view of Ardersier, site of former oil rig construction yard, E of Inverness, looking E. Aerial view of Ardersier Oil Construction Yard at Whiteness, Nairn, looking N. Close aerial view of Ardersier Oil Construction Yard at Whiteness, Nairn, looking N. General oblique aerial view from Whiteness Head and the former Ardersier Oil Rig Construction Yard along the south coast of the Moray Firth, looking NE. Mr Clowes died in February last year, with his son David, a former commercial pilot, taking over as chairman of the group in the same month. View from SE of Deck Assembly building (right), Plate Warehouse (centre) and High-level Warehouse (left). J. Ray McDermott announced the closure of Ardersier Fabrication yard in 2002, following almost 30 years of activity at the site. news of the sale was greeted with surprise in the Highlands this week, Playing the high stakes deep sea mining table, A quitter not a fighter: Liz Truss steps down as Prime Minister after only 44 days, Appetite for investment: Equinor boss says Suncor deal shows commitment to the UK, North Sea helicopter emergency lands at Sumburgh Airport in Shetland, Longboat eyes second route for relinquished Egyptian Vulture licence, Aberdeen Drger facility expands rental equipment by 20%, Exxon sued by US after five nooses found at Louisiana plant, Sonelgaz seeks EPC contractors for solar PV tender. Moray Estates Development Company Apr 1973 - Feb 1982 8 years 11 months. At its peak, there were over 3,000 staff employed at Ardersier constructing offshore platforms for the oil industry. The partners will recycle dredged sand as aggregate for concrete production, recycle steel from decommissioned oil rigs as reinforcement for concrete floating wind foundations and generate energy from waste. The new owner has not been disclosed. An aerial view of previous plans for the Port of Ardersier site. A spokeswoman for Highland Council said the authority did not know about the CWC Groups plans and the company had not yet been in touch with the planning department. A new planning application has been lodged to build a town with almost 2,000 homes and a marina on the site of a former North Sea oil and gas fabrication yard. Former owner, Derbyshire-based land and property developer CWC Group, bought the yard in 2016 in a 5 million deal. Skip to main content. What science tells us about the afterlife. Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey MP Drew Hendry said: We will need to hear more about the new owners and their future plans, but it is certainly positive news that this site has finally been bought. Site NameArdersier, Oil Rig Construction Yard, ClassificationPlatform Fabrication Yard (Modern), Permalinkhttp://canmore.org.uk/site/75252. Business partners Tony O'Sullivan and Steve Regan have acquired the former McDermott fabrication site from Clowes Developments for an undisclosed sum. He said: We have the yard, weve got the skills base. At over 400 acres (162ha) and with more than a kilometre of quayside, Ardersier is the largest brownfield port in the UK. About 300 people will be employed locally for early construction work on the UKs largest brownfield port. Ardersier Port has been sold to new owners who have ambitious plans for its future. J. Ray McDermott announced the closure of Ardersier Fabrication yard in 2002, following almost 30 years of activity at the site. A fall in demand led to the facility's closure in 2001. The new owners aim to use the site for both the decommissioning of redundant oil and gas infrastructure and to support Scotland's renewable energy sector by providing fabrication and logistics facilities for offshore and fixed wind developments, as well as catering for other green energy developments such as green hydrogen. SC045925. Mechanic / Welder. On its website, CWC Group says it is fuelled by its own hard-won resources and has raised itself from the ground to become one of the largest and strongest privately-owned UK property investment and property development organisations.. the yard's chances of winning further orders in future. As a country, we have our ten-point plan for industrial revolution. But there is some speculation with the oil industry now, that given, recent moves towards yards and contractors coming together to submit, joint bids, and to delivering total planning to installation packages, for contracts, this contract could presage a more significant, The Dutch company, Heerema, which specialises in heavy lift and, installation of platform structures, took a stake in the MacDermotts. View from S of typical block of Project Offices, at the SE end of the yard. All Rights Reserved. Ardersier, 14 miles east of Inverness, opened in the early 1970s and was used for building steel jackets for oil platforms. Some 2.5 million cubic metres of sand equivalent to 1000 Olympic swimming pools will be removed. Ardersier Port was opened by US engineering group McDermott in 1972, at its height the fabrication yard employed as many as 4,500 staff at its peak, making it the largest private sector employer in the Highlands. CWC Group now lists the 700. Interior view from SE along Plate-prefabrication area at SW side of Deck Assembly building, Ardersier oil rig construction yard. She leaves to cherish her memory her brother. Type and Period (2) (Former Type) SITE (Undated) PLATFORM FABRICATION YARD (20th Century to 21st Century - 1901 AD to 2002 AD) . Mr Regan said the initial outlay is private finance but that public funding would be sought at a later stage. General view along access road, with Moray Firth and Black Isle beyond. General view from NW within Pipe Mill building, showing pit exposed by removal of large-scale plant. Distant general view of yard from SE, with the approach road stretching out in the foreground, and the Moray Firth and Black Isle in the background. 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To let everyone remember the good old days where a few thousand were employed. It states there is the potential for up to 2000 new jobs "We strongly believe that a credible execution and industrialization plan, accurate cost assumptions, a proven and bankable technology, and the option to manufacture our concrete floating foundations locally will contribute to our projects successful execution. Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey MP Drew Hendry said: We will need to hear more about the new owners and their future plans, but it is certainly positive news that this site has finally been bought. This site uses cookies. This presented viable options for buyers like OSullivan and Regan to pursue their vision and aspirations for the site within the renewable energy sector. Planning permission in principle remains live from 2014 to establish a port for the energy industry, as well as previously approved planning consent to build 2,000 houses, a hotel, 500-berth marina and retail an leisure facilities. Please Login or Register now. Don't miss the latest headlines with our twice-daily newsletter - sign up here for free. The former McDermott Yard opened in the early 1970s for the fabrication and construction of offshore platforms for use in the North Sea gas and oil industry. Aberdeen Journals Ltd 2023. Copyright and database right 2023. Interior. The company has plans to use it for a range of purposes, including developing platforms for offshore wind turbines and decommissioning North Sea rigs. General view from SE at approach to main entrance with Pipe Mill buildings beyond. It will mean good, well paid jobs. Subsea Technology in the O&M/IMR sectors, Business Development Consultant - Renewable Energy, Senior Construction Vessel Rep, Site Safety Leader, NEBOSH IOGC, Senior 3.4U Inspection coordinator. Thats a huge ambition and Im all in favour of it.. Read about our approach to external linking. Opened by US engineering group McDermott in 1972, at its height the Ardersier fabrication yard had some 4500 staff, making it the largest private sector employer in the Highlands. Click here to sign up to our free newsletters. The Ardersier yard, like its near neighbour, Nigg on the Cromarty, Firth, has had to contend with predictions from some analysts that there. These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience the local community. Ardersier's long dormant fabrication yard is set to take on a new life as one of Europe's most important green energy and decommissioning facilities. Ardersier Fabrication yard Cutting, rolling and welding of heavy plate steel for jacket piling. A former oil and gas industry fabrication yard at Ardersier near Inverness has been sold. It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times. A Derbyshire-based land and property developer has emerged as the new owner of the former fabrication yard at Ardersier, in the Highlands, following a 5million deal. Ardersier Port co-owner Steve Regan. The two constuction yards in the east coast of scotland were thousands worked on some of the biggest oil platforms installed in the north sea View from E of NE side of Pipe Mill buildings. When: 20 March, 2020. A spokeswoman for Highland Council said the authority did not know about the CWC Groups plans and the company had not yet been in touch with the planning department. Energy Voice 2023. The event was held on 21 June 2018 at the Ardersier War Memorial Hall. With 138 hectares (340 acres) of vacant land and a deep water quay, the purpose-built yard, located on the Moray Firth, 15 miles east of Inverness , is ideally placed to take a slice of the . We will continue with our plans to create a manufacturing hub in the north of Scotland as illustrated by the strategic partnership agreement signed between BW Ideol and the Port of Ardersier in September 2021, and more generally to work to engage with the wider Scottish supply chain.. The former McDermott fabrication yard at Ardersier is under new ownership, it was announced last night. heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment. <br><br>I write proposals for audit, tax, and business consulting services for clients ranging across all industries but majorly in manufacturing, healthcare, not . Ideol's Floating Energy Allyance partnership secured the option agreement for the area designated NE8 through Crown Estate Scotlands ScotWind leasing round. As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our articles. Although work fluctuates and the yard changes hands several times, it becomes a major employer in the area over the next 40 years. In the 1970s Ardersier - a vast and currently unused port 14 miles east of Inverness - was one of the largest oil rig fabrication yards in the world, employing up to 4500 workers. 3. Interior. Business partners Tony OSullivan and Steve Regan, former chief executive of civil engineering firm Careys, have acquired the former McDermott fabrication site for an undisclosed sum. Ardersier Port has been sold to new owners who have ambitious plans for its future. View from W of NW and SW sides of Deck Assembly building.