The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Dozens of new jobs to be created aboard new ship
Emergency Response and Rescue Vessel (ERRV) operator Atlantic Offshore Scotland (AOS) said 30 new jobs were being created on the back of a two-year charter with Maersk Oil UK.
The Ocean Troll ERRV is providing services for Maersk Oil’s Culzean project in the central North Sea.
The charter, which commenced in July, initially lasts for two years but there are two, one-year options to extend.
AOS is part of the Norwegian-based Aeogopodium and employs about 210 people, including around 200 seamen and 10 officebased staff.
The firm provides multirole ERRVs for many of the oil majors operating in the North Sea.
Its 256ft Ocean Troll vessel is an ERRV with multirole functionality and capable of accommodating 21 people. It is managed by the company from its Aberdeen base at Waterloo Quay.
AOS managing director Matthew Gordon said: “Robust emergency response is indispensable to all oil and gas operations. Our aim is to cement our position as the UK’s leading ERRV supplier for high end multirole services.”
Built in 2009, the newly converted Ocean Clever will take over the relief duties of the Ocean Troll and provide jobs for an additional 30 seafarers.
Roy Wareberg, chief executive of Norway-based Atlantic Offshore, said “It is a great achievement to secure Maersk Oil’s Culzean project – not only does it allow the team to support a high-end project but to further grow our fleet.
“Our recent conversion of Ocean Clever is something we aim to continue in the coming years as we seek opportunities that fit our niche service offering.”
Including the AOS fleet of six ERRVs, Aeogpodium operates nine ERRVs and three platform supply vessels. The group aims to continue to expand its capabilities within both the Norwegian and UK sectors of the North Sea.
Culzean, 145 miles east of Aberdeen, is expected to make a big impact on UK energy supply when it comes on stream in 2019, supplying 5% of the country’s total gas needs.