Aberdeen-based subsea installation contractor Bibby Offshore has announced investment of around £11million in Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) systems for its latest division, Bibby Remote Intervention Limited (BRIL).
Initial investment of close to £4million has been made in ROV systems for Bibby Offshore’s fleet of Diving Support Vessels (DSVs) to bring the service provision in-house, while 46 jobs have been created on and offshore within the division already this year.
BRIL has installed Sub Atlantic Comanche ROVs on all three of Bibby Offshore’s North Sea fleet of DSVs, including the Bibby Topaz, Bibby Sapphire and Toisa Polaris, and it also supplies BRIL survey and position services onboard the DSVs in conjunction with NCS Survey.
BRIL has awarded Soil Machine Dynamics (SMD), based in Newcastle, a five year frame contract worth £25million for SMD to provide a wide range of hydraulic work-class ROVs to BRIL. Under the terms of the agreement, BRIL took delivery of its first new work-class ROV, the 100horse power (hp) Atom, from SMD in September and will receive a new 3000metre rated, 150hp Quasar in November. BRIL will then immediately expand its onshore staff by eight and offshore workforce will more than double from 30 to around 65.Further recruitment of staff will continue throughout 2013.
BRIL has invested a further £1.8million in two SeaEye Lynx inspection class ROV’s. They have been installed on board Bibby Offshore’s NOR Spring DP2 (Dynamic Positioning) ROV Support Vessel, which is currently operating in Indonesia providing inspection services for Pertamina. BRIL will provide support services for the Bibby Offshore Limited Asia Pacific division, based in Singapore.
Bibby Offshore’s Chief Executive, Howard Woodcock said: “We have further emphasised our commitment to becoming a leading subsea construction and installation company by taking ROV support and survey services in house. This ensures our entire service provision meets the same consistent high standards of delivery which Bibby Offshore has developed a reputation for supplying to its customers. Expanding our fleet and in-house service capability puts us in a leading position in the North Sea market.’’
BRIL Managing Director, Mike Arnold added: “BRIL has a strategic plan in place to ensure the division achieves success and the ROV products and services meet the requirements of the industry. The investment has allowed us to enhance our service provision with new, more capable systems. We have also recruited a highly-skilled team who are all looking forward to playing a role in Bibby Offshore’s exciting future. BRIL will be continuing to employ further staff and build on experience on and offshore.”
BRIL plans to make further investments in equipment over the coming months which will consist of ordering a mixed fleet of work-class ROV’s including the 100hp Atom, 150hp Quasars and heavy duty construction ROV the 250hp Quantum.
Bibby Offshore, part of the Bibby Line Group, has grown from 10 employees in 2003 to now employing over 750 people worldwide, with offices in Aberdeen, Liverpool, Singapore and Trinidad. The company has an international fleet of five subsea support vessels including the most modern fleet of DSV’s in the North Sea.