OGN Group, the North East-England offshore engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) specialist, has secured a multi-million pound contract with independent UK oil and gas development and production company EnQuest, which will lead to the creation of 600 new project jobs at its Tyneside facility.
OGN will provide its specialist fabrication services to undertake finishing and commissioning works on the EnQuest Producer, a 249m long Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel.
The EnQuest Producer, which was previously Bluewater’s Uisge Gorm FPSO, recently arrived at OGN’s Hadrian Yard, Wallsend. Ahead of its arrival, OGN completed dredging in the River Tyne at its quayside to accommodate the 53,176 gross tonne FPSO.
Upon completion of the works, the vessel will be deployed to the Alma/Galia field in the North Sea, which is a redevelopment of the UK’s first producing field, Argyll.
In addition to creating new jobs at OGN, the project will provide considerable benefit for OGN’s supply chain. Through engagement with new and existing suppliers, predominantly from North East England, it is expected the project will support, in the region of 250 supply chain jobs.
David Edwards, Chief Executive Officer at OGN Group , said: “The awarding of this contract is a major endorsement for the UK’s oil and gas supply chain and, in particular, OGN Group’s ability to deliver on a project of this scale.
“We are proud to welcome the EnQuest Producer to Tyneside. Utilising a specialist UK EPC contractor highlights that this country has the skills and capacity to support operators, such as EnQuest, in the development of prominent oil and gas projects.”
He added: “ This project will have a significant impact on the North East economy, particularly in terms of creating employment and providing opportunities for the region’s high quality supply chain.
“With Wallsend’s proud shipbuilding history, it’s quite moving to see a vessel of this size and scale docked at Hadrian Yard. It sends a clear signal that this region still has much to offer the global energy industry.”
Press Release, November 15, 2013; Image: EnQuest