The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Invergordon hopes for major decommissioning work role
Cromarty port first in Scotland to apply for environmental permits
Large offshore structures working in the oil and gas industry could start arriving in Invergordon for decommissioning next year, the Port of Cromarty Firth (PCF) has revealed.
The port is the first in Scotland to apply for new environmental permits required to carry out the work and said it expects to have them in place by September.
Yesterday, PCF general manager Calum Slater said talks were under way with customers with structures to decommission and he predicted “the first of a new era coming to the firth” in 2018.
As part of final preparations to attract a share of the lucrative market – estimated to be worth £35billion by 2040 – to Easter Ross, the trust port lodged two permit applications with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) earlier this month.
One permit relates to Pollution Prevention Control (PPC) regulations, which were updated in 2012 to increase levels of environmental protection. The other comes under the Radioactive Substances Act.
The PCF said it had made the applications after consultations with port users, community councils and local politicians which started last August.
The organisation added that local stakeholders had “welcomed the opportunities associated with bringing this work to the area.” With new quayside facilities at Invergordon, the port has three berths and nearly 20 acres of laydown space ready to accept structures as soon as permission is granted.
The PCF added that a “world-class” supply chain was already in place to tackle the dismantling and recycling of the “largest oil and gas structures.”
Captain Slater said: “Our status as a trust port, together with our proven environmental record, ensures platforms will be decommissioned in a way
“A world-class supply chain in place to tackle the dismantling and recycling”
that meets the latest environmental standards.
“We are already in discussions with customers who have structures to decommission and I can see the first of the new era coming to the Firth next year.”
The PCF said its “open port philosophy” would allow “any reputable client, operator or contractor” to use the port’s decommissioning licence.
Captain Slater added: “The aim is to achieve the highest level of recycling and environmental protection. In accordance with our status as a trust port, 100% of any profits will be reinvested in the port’s future development for the benefit of stakeholders.”