Petrofac has unveiled the completion of a £10million investment in its specialist machining and hydrostatic testing operation.
Scotvalve Services has opened its doors at a purpose-built office and workshop at Midmill Business Park at Kintore at an event attended by Sir Malcolm Bruce, MP for Gordon and new deputy leader of the Lib Dems.
The business is already refurbishing pressure control and process equipment, including a massive 26-ton blowout preventer.
The services giant acquired Scotvalves from its managing director Roy Burnett for a total consideration of about £5million in 2010.
The firm now employs 60 people, including highly-trained computer (CNC) machinists.
The firm is looking to fill a further 12 roles although bosses admit finding people is a challenge.
“The lack of trained personnel is really getting us down,” said operations manager Duncan McIntosh.
The centrepiece of the new 49,500 sq ft facility is the largest hydrostatic testing pool in the north-east. The giant tank takes 250,000 litres of water, sourced from a rainwater storage facility built on site and harvested from the roof.
“We get plenty of rain up here, we find it’s no problem to fill the tank, joked Mr McIntosh.
The test pit, which measures 23 feet long, 20 feet wide and 20 feet deep, is used to test the readiness of the refurbished parts. It is covered by a 43-ton reinforced steel cover to ensure the pressure testing remains contained.
Bill Dunnett, managing director of Petrofac Offshore Projects and Operations (OPO), hailed the completion of the operation.
“This is an international business. The growth we are looking for is a huge amount of expansion over the next two or three years,” he said.
“It is not just North Sea markets but delivering products from all over the world. Some of the equipment in here now comes from the Middle East, Russia, the States. Those are the areas where we see the biggest and longest term growth.”
The opening of the new facility marks a successful move for Petrofac into an important new service area. Initially bought to support Petrofac’s own offshore assets, Scotvalves works with a range of different customers.
Mr Dunnett added: “We are going to make more acquisitions for our businesses here and across the world.”