ROVOP invests in new HQ

Subsea specialist ROVOP has revealed that it is investing more than £4 million in a new purpose-built headquarters (HQ) including training facilities, a full ROV underwater test facility and an internal 40-tonne overhead crane.

The new facility at Aberdeenshire’s Westhill area – known as the subsea industry’s SURF City – will also bring the company’s extensive fleet of ROVs and its ROV Academy under one roof.

In addition, the HQ will feature high-quality offices including break-out amenities as well as full maintenance facilities including electrical and hydraulic workshops, ROVOP’s £250,000 ROV simulator and an enclosed car park with more than 50 spaces, ROVOP said in the release.

Steven Gray, managing director at ROVOP, said: “Establishing our own HQ is the next step in ROVOP’s evolution…”

The three-storey HQ which will span 1,700 metres (18,500 sq ft) in total at Silvertrees Business Park and be able to accommodate up to 120 members of staff.

ROVOP, which is currently based at neighbouring Arnhall Business Park in Westhill, has experienced exceptional growth since recognising a gap in the market in 2011 for an independent company which is 100% focused on providing ROV services to the oil & gas and offshore wind industries.

Steven Gray, managing director at ROVOP, said: “Establishing our own HQ is the next step in ROVOP’s evolution and enables us to build upon our specialist services in one hub, which is a major development from working across three sites.

“The addition of the test tank will also allow us to carry out maintenance or fit sensors and tooling and then wet test our ROVs on site ahead of their deployment offshore, as well as use them for demonstration and training purposes. With work contracted already as far ahead as 2020, we look forward to our new HQ providing us with the scope to grow our team and fleet to continue to meet future demand for high quality ROV services.”

ROV Academy

The new HQ will support the company’s investment in its own ROV Academy with the creation of additional training and office breakout facilities. ROVOP says the academy has been developed to ensure a supply of the most competent offshore personnel, predominantly pilot-technicians for its fast-evolving fleet of ROVs, and includes a £250,000 simulator.

Chartered architects Halliday Fraser Munro designed ROVOP’s business complex while Aberdeen-based Chap Construction is undertaking the work for the development, which is expected to be complete in December 2014.

Douglas Thomson, managing director at Chap, said: “ROVOP had unusual requirements for their project due to their need to handle, maintain and provide training for ROV systems within their building. The very large internal crane, with a high under-hook height, large test tank, and flexible training rooms meant significant time and effort was invested upfront in designing and engineering a building specifically for a specialist ROV company.

“ROVOP had a requirement to maintain its open and transparent culture resulting in the use of open plan office areas and large glass walls connecting the workshop, training and office areas. We are very pleased to be delivering a project with a client so focused on obtaining the highest specification of building at a location ideally suited to a subsea company.”

Press Release
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