Bergen Group targets decommissioning sector with Scanmet acquisition

Bergen Group Hanøytangen is in talks to buy offshore decommissioning specialist Scanmet AS.

Bergen Group eyeing decommissioning sector with Scanmet acquisition

Scanmet AS is among the oldest and most experienced companies in Norway that carry out decommissioning of oil installations in the North Sea. Currently the company is situated at Stord in Sunnhordland, but in connection with the purchase, the business will be relocated to the industrial area at Hanøytangen during 2014.

The transaction is expected to be carried out in mid-2014, and depends on relevant approvals from the government.

Asle Solheim, CEO in Bergen Group ASA, considers the purchase of Scanmet AS a strategically important investment in the process of facilitating for a further increase in activity at Hanøytangen.

“This industrial area has a unique starting point for a profitable growth within several areas. Therefore Bergen Group focuses their efforts towards supplying the current rig activity with other areas of activity connected to maritime service, subsea & offshore service and decommissioning projects,” Solheim states.

“When it comes to decommissioning projects, our main focus will be offshore constructions. This is an area where Scanmet AS already has acquired knowledge through several years. At the same time, we have already well-established facilities at Hanøytangen that can be used for demanding decommissioning contracts, among others the largest dry dock in Northern Europe,” Solheim points out.

The CEO in Bergen Group also considers the purchase of Scanmet AS an important contribution towards further developing the entire industrial area at Hanøyangen.

“Norscrap AS is already well established in the area, and over several years they have built up an extensive capacity in treating and recycling all types of steel and metals. In addition, we have entered into an agreement with the waste management company SAR AS and the lifting contractor Kranringen AS, who both are solid suppliers of services for future decommissioning contracts,” Asle Solheim points out.

In connection with the purchase of Scanmet AS Bergen Group considers strengthening the engineering resources in the company.

“Decommissioning of offshore constructions is technically demanding projects. We expect that there will be an increasing need for strengthening Hanøytangen with further capacity and competence in engineering and maritime operations in the years to come. It also contributes towards strengthening our market position within other offshore and maritime related activities at Hanøytangen,” Solheim says.

 

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Press Release, February 12, 2014