NorSea Group UK has completed Phase I of its multi-million-pound investment at its Shore Base within Peterhead Port with the opening of a new custom-built marine gas oil (MGO) facility on Smith Quay.
NorSea said that the two MGO tanks, which hold a combined total of 3,000 m3 of fuel, are now operational.
This represents an expansion of the range of services currently provided directly to clients by NorSea Group at Peterhead as project support and supply vessels can now be fuelled directly at the quay.
Walter Robertson , managing director of NorSea, said: “This investment delivers a much-needed fuelling option for vessels supporting offshore activities. Project related vessels now have a full one-stop shop capability.
He also added that NorSea Group formed a fuel supply alliance with the largest independent marine fuel supplier in the UK to service the MGO facility.
“In addition to the direct fuelling of berthed vessels, the tanks are also equipped with automatic road loading facilities which can supply fuel to road tanker wagons for onward delivery to the marine fuel market including Peterhead’s fishing fleet,” said Robertson.
“As part of NorSea Group’s development program at our Shore Base, the infrastructure is also in place to provide quayside fuelling at the adjacent Merchants Quay which will become operational during Q2 2018 when the existing fish market is relocated to Alexandria Basin.”
Chief executive of Peterhead Port Authority Ian Laidlaw said: “Peterhead Port Authority welcomes the addition of fuel bunkers at Smith Quay and the ongoing investment from NorSea Group to develop a fully serviced marine base at the site.”
Phases II and III of NorSea Group’s expansion plans at Peterhead include the development of reclaimed land adjacent to Smith Quay, the construction of a mud plant, and slops recovery tanks.
When complete, NorSea will have a total of 58,000 m2 of laydown area and 350m of berthing between the two quays enabling it to accommodate E&P logistics contracts and even larger projects for subsea, decommissioning, and renewables work.