A host of north and north-east companies and projects have been given cash injections through the Scottish Government’s decommissioning challenge fund (DCF).
Clearwell Technology, registered in Kirkton of Durris, Aberdeenshire, and led by co-owner Paul Ray, was one of the big winners.
It scooped £172,000 to assist the development of a device for carrying out well plugging and abandonment without the use of a rig, saving customers huge sums.
Resolute Energy Solutions, of Stonehaven, clinched £185,000 for the qualification of a new type of well abandonment barrier.
Engineering firm Pdi, of Aberdeen, pocketed £73,160 for enhancing its automated comparative assessment and decommissioning cost estimating software.
Logistics firm Peterson was granted £94,875 for the construction of a “perfectly level” skid path, making it possible for large structures to be skidded onto the quayside at the decommissioning base at Dales Voe, Lerwick.
Last year, the hull of the Buchan Alpha rig broke free from its berth due to high winds in November and floated inland from the Dales Voe.
Aberdeen Harbour Board bagged £28,000 to help pay for a study into its prospects of becoming a centre for repurposing large volumes of oilfield infrastructure.
Banchory-based Surf Engineering Management received £6,944 so that it can provide better estimates for the costs of leaving pipeline bundles in situ.
Other successful applicants include Strathclyde University, Fathom Group, of Glasgow, Fife Council and Oilfield Machinery, of Forfar.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the launch of the DCF in 2017 to support infrastructure upgrades, supply chain developments, engineering work and other projects to boost Scotland’s decommissioning industry.
It has made grant payments over about £12 million over the past three years, with a total of £1.84m dished out in the fourth funding round.
Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse said: “Support for the decommissioning sector – and wider energy industry – is more important now than it ever has been as we plan our strategic economic recovery from Covid-19.
“Our energy strategy recognises that decommissioning offers significant economic opportunities that can help Scottish industry capture global market opportunities through the export of knowledge and experience, and commits to enhancing the skills and capacity in Scotland.
“The Decommissioning Challenge Fund is crucial in supporting development in this growing industry and I am delighted with the range of projects funded this year. In addition to helping improve the skills of the Scottish workforce, it will support further growth opportunities for the Scottish supply chain.”
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