Vessels anchor in Moray Firth as depressed oil price continues

to berth there, is also anchored close to entrance to the firth.

Yesterday, a spokeswoman for the Port of Cromarty Firth said that although two vessels were due to leave this week, the numbers were expected to rise again.

She said: “It’s likely we will have as many as 12 rigs in the Port of Cromarty Firth over the winter.

“This is symptomatic of the ongoing pressure the depressed oil price is bringing to the North Sea.”

Despite speculation about the future of a number of the rigs, she added the port authority was not aware of plans to scrap any of those currently stacked.

The two departing the waters this week are bound for projects in the North Sea. The new build Maersk Highlander jack-up has been undergoing commissioning work, carried out by Semco Maritime, after being transported to Invergordon Service Base from the Jurong Shipyard, Singapore.

At the vessel’s naming ceremony at the Ross-shire port last week, Maersk Drilling chief executive, Claus V Hemmingsen admitted it might seem a difficult challenge to take in a brand new rig in the middle of a severe downturn, but added: “in the 40+ year history of Maersk Drilling, it is far from an unknown challenge to take a new, state-of-the-art piece of drilling equipment into operation.”

The Maersk Highlander will work on the £3billion Culzean gas development, 155 miles east of Aberdeen. Another jack-up owned by the Danish company, the Maersk Reacher, is currently undergoing upgrading and modification work at Invergordon.

Also leaving the Cromarty Firth this week is the Paragon MSS1. The semisubmersible, built in 1979, has been undergoing classification and service works, carried out by Semco Maritime. The rig, owned by Paragon Offshore, is believed to be heading for a Nexen North Sea drilling contract.

More inspection, repair and maintenance projects are in the pipeline, according to the Port of Cromarty Firth spokeswoman.

She added: “Companies on the Port’s Service Base, including Semco Maritime and Port of Cromarty Firth Services, are working hard to attract project work to Invergordon.

“The Port of Cromarty Firth remains one of the leading ports in Europe for rig inspection, repair and maintenance. The firth is an ideal, sheltered environment with a highly skilled and experienced workforce.”

“We will have as many as 12 rigs in the Port of Cromarty Firth over the winter”

Mike Ashley: pressure