Able UK seals blue-chip offshore contracts to replicate onshore success
Able UK
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Able UK seals blue-chip offshore contracts to replicate onshore success The UK energy company has been a market leader in the demolition sector for nearly 50 years and is already following suit through its recently established marine operations Written by: Matthew Staff Produced by: James Pepper
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Able UK Seals blue-chip offshore contracts to replicate onshore success
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ble UK has affirmed itself as the leading industrial energy company in the country by leading domestic markets, not only onshore, but offshore through a recently attained contract from Shell which will comprise the construction of a new quay and the creation of 200 jobs. Progressing since the mid1960s as a provider of increasingly large demolition projects of power stations and oil refineries, the company has recently turned much of its attentions to optimising the same industry expertise and state-of-the-art Teeside facilities Large-scale demolition experts
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to successfully deal with the decommissioning of offshore oil rigs and platforms in the North Sea. “In regards to the demolition projects, we managed to get ahead and then stayed ahead through developing new techniques, and it’s not an idle boast to suggest there isn’t a UK company with the track record of Able’s in terms of successfully dealing with complex demolition challenges,” said Group Development Director, Neil Etherington. “In many respects, we had cracked the onshore demolition side so it was a natural progression for us to go into decommissioning
In many respects, we had cracked the onshore demolition side so it was a natural progression for us to go into decommissioning where, again, it is not an idle boast to say we are now a UK market leader in that field as well” — Neil Etherington, Group Development Director, Able UK where, again, it is not an idle boast to say we are now a UK market leader in that field as well.” Blue-chip contracts The success on both sides of the shoreline is characterised by the blue-chip companies that Able UK has worked with over the years,
a pattern which epitomises some of the most exciting projects the company has recently undertaken or is set to undertake in the coming months. “The type of clients we work with have demands which extend beyond commercial issues and into the critical issues of health, safety and the environment, and we cater for these demands,” Etherington said. Securing the 2008 BP North West Decommissioning Programme contract was, at the time, a massive feather in Able’s cap, being the largest project of its type in the North Sea, and has been followed up this year with the announcement that Shell has chosen the company to decommission rigs from their Brent Field. “The defining element of this project is that it will see, for the first time, the deployment of Allsea’s new vessel, the Pieter Schelte,” Etherington continued. “This means that rather than reverse engineering taking place in challenging offshore conditions, this vessel can lift single pieces of up to 48,000 tonnes and can be placed on a barge within the vessel to be taken, in a single unit, to the port for decommissioning and recycling.” To cater for the project, Able is developing a much stronger quay 5
Able UK Seals blue-chip offshore contracts to replicate onshore success
Artist’s impression of the proposed quay site than it currently has, 120 metres long with 60 tonnes per square metre loading capacity. Etherington added: “The Pieter Schelte is a defining change and we are purpose building quays to suit its specific requirements, not just for this contract but generally moving forward it puts us in a strong position. “This single project alone, which will extend over a six year period, will also open up 100 new employment opportunities in the construction of the quay and another 100 jobs through the duration of the contract.” 6
Entrepreneurial spirit Remaining innovative and entrepreneurial has been a key feature of Able UK’s rise to the top, combining the optimum facilities with the ideal skill sets to present an irresistible option to industryleading companies, which have also included the likes of ConocoPhillips and Total. “The almost unique nature of our offer is that we combine that core demolition skill with having exactly the right facilities to undertake this sort of decommissioning work, and that requires a port that has specifically the right level of water
The Pieter Schelte is a defining change and we are purpose building quays to suit its specific requirements, not just for this contract but generally moving forward it puts us in a strong position” — Neil Etherington
and strong load-bearing quays such as we have at Seaton Port where we undertake most of our activities,” Etherington explained. “The quays have a 40 tonne square metre universally distributed load and we also take advantage of the significant opportunities afforded by the indigenous quayside supply chain.” This has contributed to a further string being added to the Able bow through engaging in extensive work at Seaton Port, supporting mobile oil rig operators in regards to maintenance and upgrades of jackup and semi-submersible rigs. 7
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“We have had as many as 10 rigs in since 2009 and they’re here for up to four months, can vary from $3 million to $90 million each and require anywhere between 100 and 700 people,” said Etherington. “Our organisation is characterised by this kind of entrepreneurial spirit to carry out a wide range of projects. “We are privately owned and in control of our own destiny so have been able to take longer term strategic views. Once we’re committed to a strategy, then we are fully committed. We have a pride and passion in what we do and the ability to really put our money where our mouth is.” Rig decommissioning
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Able UK Seals blue-chip offshore contracts to replicate onshore success Pioneering innovation Not one to rest on its laurels, Able UK is always looking for ways to improve and develop its offering further, and this has recently led to the acquisition of the Liebherr LHM600SHL crane, the largest mobile harbour crane in Europe. Purchased to meet the company’s specific requirements, the crane is able to lift 208 tonnes and will be used to aid activities in cargo handling and offshore oil and gas rig maintenance. “It’s about having the right kit on site and also about having the
right philosophy behind its use,” Etherington explained. “We have also pioneered the idea of the multi-user facility where our plant is there for the use of all, with every occupants’ capital going that bit further by being able to share expensive equipment.” The new crane will also have a significant bearing on components for the offshore wind sector, to which the company has made a nationally significant move into, signalling the future ambitions of Able UK. “The Secretary of State for
Able UK’s Liebherr LHM600SHL crane
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STATISTICS
Industry: Energy Founded: 1966 Headquarters: Billingham, UK Moving into marine operations transport has recently authorised the development consent order for the Able Marine Energy Park which is a 900-acre development, with 1,300 meters of deep-water quays, and it is a bespoke facility for the burgeoning offshore wind sector,” Etherington said. “It will be the largest in the UK and we’re building a super port which we’ll operate in a similar way to how we operate Seaton. “We know it works well, we know that’s what the offshore requires and the offshore wind sector is very excited about it.”
Key People/Titles: Neil Etherington, Group Development Director Products: Land developments, rig upgrades & maintenance, demolition, offshore decommissioning, waste management Revenue: Not disclosed Employees: Not disclosed Website:
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Address Able House, Billingham Reach Industrial Estate, Billingham TS23 1PX, United Kingdom Tel +44 (0)1642 806080 email info@ableuk.com www.ableuk.com
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