International engineering company PD&MS Energy and specialist fabrication and engineering firm Harlen will invest £2.5m in a new rig repair and subsea fabrication facility in Dundee.
The 38,750sq ft facility, on Princess Alexandra Wharf at Port of Dundee, is expected to accommodate up to 50 full-time personnel, rising to more than 260 including contractors during specific projects.
The site is set to manage offshore asset service works in excess of £8m in its first financial year.
Bruce Gill, managing director of Harlen, said:
“This facility increases not just our physical capacity and capability in supporting PD&MS in the rig repair market, its quayside location will allow Harlen to extend its offerings in subsea equipment, topside module, accommodation modules and large-scale fabrication sectors.
“There are only a handful of companies in Scotland that can fabricate such significant pieces of offshore equipment and this investment places Harlen among the top players.”
Previously based in neighbouring Prince Charles Wharf, the new, larger facility is optimised for rig repair and upgrades, vessel repair and mobilisations, large fabrications and general work across other energy sectors.
An initial £1m investment has been made in the workshop with a further £1.5m expected over the next three years.
Dave MacKay, executive chairman of PD&MS Energy, said: “The buoyant offshore market and our extremely robust order book have given us the confidence to invest significantly in these new premises as well as expanding our offering in the growing decommissioning sector.
“This new workshop offers more space to house our growing workforce and improved infrastructure, allowing us to gear up for further new business going forward.”
As part of PD&MS’ continued growth plan, the organisation is looking to secure new office space in Aberdeen to house up to 400 personnel.