Aberdeen-based subsea installation contractor Bibby Offshore has opened a project engineering centre in Liverpool and employed five subsea engineers to remotely support its core business in Aberdeen. The decision to develop this innovative approach to the resource shortage in the Aberdeen region is due to the rising demand for its services from its clients.
Bibby Offshore is a subsidiary of Bibby Line Group, a dynamic group of global companies with interests in shipping, marine services, logistics, financial services, offshore services and retailing, which has been established in Liverpool for more than 200 years. The remote office will be based at Bibby Line Group’s HQ on Duke Street and act as a valuable resource to the company.
As Bibby Offshore’s business continues to grow, the newly strengthened presence will enable the company to tap into the huge pool of engineering talent that resides within the North of England.
This initial five-strong workforce, which will soon be supplemented by more appointments, is headed up by engineering team leader Neil Campbell who was relocated from Bibby Offshore’s Aberdeen HQ. He is responsible for the supervision of three experienced subsea engineers and also one engineer who successfully undertook Bibby Offshore’s Engineer Conversion Programme in 2012. The conversion scheme gives talented and skilled individuals the opportunity to adapt their engineering skills to the oil and gas sector whilst working as part of a team delivering live subsea projects.
Bibby Offshore’s Chief Executive, Howard Woodcock said: “One of the major challenges the subsea industry currently faces is attracting and retaining the people required to deliver our services whilst maintaining excellence. To achieve this, we have to be innovative, resourceful and importantly, listen to our people.
“Having a strong presence in Liverpool will give engineers who live in and around the north west of England the chance to utilise their skills and expertise, without having to leave their families for long periods to be in Aberdeen. The team has direct IT and video communication with the Aberdeen office and will work to support the company’s existing subsea projects in the North Sea.
“This is only the beginning as far as we are concerned. Bibby Offshore plans to be an industry leader when it comes to innovatively resourcing our projects. Initiatives such as the conversion programme and our Liverpool office are essential given the high resource demand forecast throughout the oil and gas sector.”
Bibby Offshore is also due to move into its new purpose-built HQ in Westhill, Aberdeenshire, in spring 2013 after outgrowing its current offices in Waterloo Quay, Aberdeen. The new 52,000sqft office facility at Prospect Park, Westhill, will be three storeys high and can accommodate more than 400 people. The 15-year lease agreement represents a multi-million pound investment by Bibby Offshore.
[mappress] Press Release, November 21, 2012