WELL intervention expert Helix Well Ops UK has ended the year on a high, with the first projects by its new ship.
The Well Enhancer, believed to be the world’s most advanced well-intervention/diving support vessel, represents a multimillion-pound investment by the Dyce-based company which has created more than 140 new jobs.
Its inaugural project was on Nexen Petroleum UK’s Buzzard S2 field, 60 miles east of Aberdeen.
Well Ops, a subsidiary of Helix Energy Solutions Group, operates a fleet of specialist vessels and mobile equipment to improve production output in subsea oil and gas fields and in construction, intervention and decommissioning services.
Steve Nairn, vice-president of Helix Well Ops UK, said the commissioning of the Well Enhancer was a significant milestone for the company, which employs 70 staff in Aberdeen and a further 300 offshore.
He said: “The Well Enhancer is a massive investment and, as the most technologically advanced vessel of its kind in the world, it has caused a great buzz in the subsea sector.
“We have taken all the lessons and experience of operating our other North Sea intervention vessel, the Seawell, and incorporated that in to the Well Enhancer, so it could be said we have a brand new vessel with a 20-year track record.
“This investment underlines our commitment to Aberdeen and the North Sea and I am delighted that, at a time when opportunities are limited, we have created 140 new jobs.”
Mr Nairn said Well Enhancer would prove its worth in 2010 as operators sought cost-efficient methods of improving hydrocarbon production on a range of North Sea assets.
“We are optimistic that both vessels will be in high demand next year, and in quarter two 2010 we will introduce a coil tubing facility to Well Enhancer which will expand the vessel’s already impressive workscope capabilities.”