General view from S along SW side of Pipe Mill buildings. Market-leading rankings and editorial commentary - see the top law firms & lawyers for Corporate and commercial: elsewhere in Scotland in Scotland Plater in deck assembly on topside modules. You must be signed in to do this. Tags. General view from E of former Spoolbase at N end of yard. View from SW across from the yard to the Whiteness Spit. View from E of sub-station and water treatment facilities on SW side of the yard. O'Sullivan and Regan explained: "Using circular economy practices the facility will accommodate multiple complementary work streams from decommissioning of oil and gas assets, recycling of wind turbines, production of sustainable aggregates and concrete, large scale manufacturing, offshore wind logistics and fabrication, sustainable energy production as well as offering its extensive marine facilities for the upgrade and maintenance of existing assets. It includes more than 400 acres and more than a kilometre of quayside but has been disused for many years. All rights reserved. View from SE along open (NE) side of deck Assembly building. Interior. Ardersier's dormant fabrication yard is set to take on a new life as one of Europe's most important locations for renewable energy and decommissioning, according to its new owners. SC045925. In 2016, Clowes Developments purchased the site from administration for 5m. Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey MP Drew Hendry said: We will need to hear more about the new owners and their future plans, but it is certainly positive news that this site has finally been bought. Data returned from the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired' callback event. Distant general view of yard from SE, with the approach road stretching out in the foreground, and the Moray Firth and Black Isle in the background. The Scottish Government granted permission for the scheme to go ahead. In the 1970s Ardersier - a vast and currently unused port 14 miles east of Inverness - was one of the largest oil rig fabrication yards in the world, employing up to 4500 workers. 2023 BBC. Senior Highland councillor Jimmy Gray, a union leader who worked at the yard as a welder between 1975 and 2000, is optimistic the fresh investment will result in Scotland getting a bigger slice of the renewables cake in terms of jobs and financial return. This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. Business partners Tony O'Sullivan and Steve Regan have acquired the former McDermott fabrication site from Clowes Developments for an undisclosed sum. Worked on various projects at Nigg and Ardersier Fabrication yards in Scotland, Terra Nova FPSO Project in St John's Newfoundland Canada, Barracuda and Carratinga FPSO's in Rio de Janeiro and was seconded Agip in Dubai UAE on Kashagan project Mike #McDermott employees and families rolled up their sleeves to clean 10 . Historic Environment Scotland. "Dredging will commence this year and the port will be open in 2022," Mr Sullivan revealed. Management at Ardersier have so far refused to comment beyond saying, they are hopeful of work coming to the yard in the near future, and a, spokesman for Elf Enterprise said that no decision has yet been made on, the award of the sub-contract, although he confirmed that MacDermotts is, one of the bidders for the work. The owner of the former McDermott Fabrication Yard site at Ardersier in the Moray Firth has gone into administration. When: 20 March, 2020. Were developing the right projects, the floating wind projects as an example. The site at Whiteness Head on the Moray Firth, west of Nairn, is the former McDermott Yard which opened in the early 1970s for the fabrication and construction of offshore platforms for use in the North Sea gas and oil industry. Energy Voice 2023. A new planning application has been lodged to build a town with almost 2,000 homes and a marina on the site of a former North Sea oil and gas fabrication yard. Nairn West Junction is a proposed new junction on the A96 to the west of Nairn.It is to be constructed as part of the dualling plans for the A96 between Nairn and Inverness.The junction will be built to the south of the existing A96 line, on the site of Blackcastle Quarry, directly opposite the road built to access the Ardersier Fabrication Yard at Whiteness on the coast. Highland Council planning officers said the majority of this brownfield site was reclaimed using dredged sand that was levelled behind a steel pile retaining wall. Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey MP Drew Hendry said: We will need to hear more about the new owners and their future plans, but it is certainly positive news that this site has finally been bought. 2023- Highland News and Media Ltd. All rights reserved. View from SE along access road to yard main entrance. The site is the former McDermott Fabrication Yard located approximately 7.5km to the west of Nairn, 18km northeast of Inverness and 3km northeast of Ardersier. View from S of typical block of Project Offices, at the SE end of the yard. Detailed view from SE along SW side of Pipe Mill buildings. The plans include a floating wind manufacturing hub for concrete. The wildlife of the area includes bottlenose dolphins and seabirds, including terns. Elevated view from E of Project Offices at the SE end of the yard. View from SE along open (NE) side of Deck Assembly building. off-shore renewables port facility at Ardersier. At its height the yard employed about 4,500 people, but it closed in 2001 as demand dropped. A Derbyshire-based land and property developer has emerged as the new owner of the former fabrication yard at Adersier, in the Highlands, following a 5million deal. Port of Ardersier Ltd, formed in 2012 to develop the former former oil and gas fabrication yard into an offshore wind manufacturing hub, had won Scottish Government consent last year to bring the site back into use. Mr Clowes died in February last year, with his son David, a former commercial pilot, taking over as chairman of the group in the same month. Papers of James Sloan Bone, landscape historian, Inverness, Highland, Scotland, Courtesy of HES (James S Bone Collection). Today Steve and I will start to reinvent the wheel.". Oblique aerial view over Ardersier fabrication site with Whiteness point and in the foreground the Carse of Ardersier, looking NE. The Ardersier yard, like its near neighbour, Nigg on the Cromarty, Firth, has had to contend with predictions from some analysts that there. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. The former McDermott fabrication yard at Ardersier is under new ownership, it was announced last night. Subsea Technology in the O&M/IMR sectors, Business Development Consultant - Renewable Energy, Senior Construction Vessel Rep, Site Safety Leader, NEBOSH IOGC, Senior 3.4U Inspection coordinator. All Rights Reserved. The group owns industrial, commercial, office, retail, leisure, residential and mixed-use sites throughout the UK, which it runs through 16 active trading companies and a number of management/service companies. The completion of sites sale, for just over 5million, was revealed in a recent progress report by administrators KPMG. According to the groups figures, it made pre-tax profits of 18.2million in the year to March 31, 2016, with a turnover of 46.6million for the year. Aerial view of Ardersier fabrication yard, Whiteness Point and the Moray coast, looking E. General view of yard from SSE, with the approach road stretching out in the foreground, and the Moray Firth and Black Isle in the background. They intend to use the base for a range of purposes, including the decommissioning oil and gas infrastructure and recycling wind turbines. In 2007, Highland Council approved ambitious plans for a 1,950 home development, along with a marina, hotel, visitor centre and community facilities including a primary school. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories. The low blue and white building is the yard centeen, the size of which shows the imeesity of Deck Assembly building beyond. The former McDermott fabrication yard at Ardersier is under new ownership. The company has plans to use it for a range of purposes, including developing platforms for offshore wind turbines and decommissioning North Sea rigs. Click here to sign up to our free newsletters. contact IPSO here, 2001-2023. Around two and a half thousand workers were paid. Apr 1994 - Sep 1998 4 years 6 months. Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services. The facility was formerly owned by Derbyshire-based land and property developer CWC Group, which bought the yard in 2016 in a 5 million deal after its previous owner went into administration. She leaves to cherish her memory her brother. The sites sale was revealed in a recent progress report by administrators KPMG. We are lucky at The Herald. General view along access road, with Moray Firth and Black Isle beyond. Bull Arm Fabrication Yard, Newfoundland Halliburton 5 years 11 months Structural Draftsman Halliburton . The site previously McDermotts employed more than 4000 people in the 1970s and 80s. Developers are seeking the go ahead to turn a former oil fabrication yard in the Highlands into a manufacturing "super-hub" for renewables . inaccuracy or intrusion, then please The potential of this site, if put into productive use, is enormous and if that potential is realised, there is a clear prospect of the creation of substantial numbers of jobs.. Ideol's Floating Energy Allyance partnership secured the option agreement for the area designated NE8 through Crown Estate Scotlands ScotWind leasing round. Ardersier's long dormant fabrication yard is set to take on a new life as one of Europe's most important locations for renewable energy and decommissioning, according to its new owners. At over 400 acres (162ha) and with more than a kilometre of quayside, Ardersier is the largest brownfield port in the UK. But though, the yard has a history of multi-million pound contracts, even a small, contract is regarded as a major psychological boost, since it improves. A spokeswoman for Highland Council said the authority did not know about the CWC Groups plans and the company had not yet been in touch with the planning department. ), adajacent to former Slipways. The event was held on 21 June 2018 at the Ardersier War Memorial Hall. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com. General oblique aerial view of Ardersier, looking to the SW. Courtesy of HES (G D B Jones Collection). Based in Brailsford, Derbyshire, the CWC Group was founded in 1964 by Charles Clowes, who went on to feature regularly in a London newspapers list of Britains richest people. General view from NE of former NE spoolbase storage racks. General view from SW towards former slipways. Although completed on Friday, July 8, news of the sale was greeted with surprise in the Highlands this week. View of ancillary buildings at the edge of SW side of the yard. View from SE along foundations of travelling crane in area of former stockyard, with Pipe Mill buildings in background. Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Ardersier Port has been sold to new owners who have ambitious plans for its future. View of cast-concrete pieces to SW side of the Deck Assembly building. One of the largest brownfield ports in the UK, Ardersier - on the Moray Firth between Inverness and Nairn - has been identified as one of just three UK east coast sites with the size, scale, shape, and location capable of being an offshore renewable energy hub. View from SE of building to SE of Deck Assembly building (possibly paint shop). Oblique aerial view of the Ardersier oil rig construction yard, taken from the SW. Aerial view of Fort George and Ardersier, E of Inverness, looking NE. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. The site has been bought for just over 5m, according to a document from KPMG, the administrator for the former owner. Type and Period (2) (Former Type) SITE (Undated) PLATFORM FABRICATION YARD (20th Century to 21st Century - 1901 AD to 2002 AD) . The former McDermott Yard opened in the early 1970s for the fabrication and construction of offshore platforms for use in the North Sea gas and oil industry. Please Login or Register now. Planning permission in principle remains live from 2014 to establish a port for the energy industry, as well as previously approved planning consent to build 2,000 houses, a hotel, 500-berth marina and retail an leisure facilities. At more than 400 acres - and with more than a kilometre of quayside - Ardersier is the largest brownfield port in the UK. General view from SE at approach to main entrance with Pipe Mill buildings beyond. View from W of NW and SW sides of Deck Assembly building. However, that planning permission has now expired and developer Ardersier Port Ltd has sought to renew it. Before going into administration, Port of Ardersier Ltd secured full consent from the Scottish government to bring the site back into use. All Rights Reserved. Mechanic / Welder. View from E along (open) side of Deck Assembly building. It states there is the potential for up to 2000 new jobs She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, James Connie Andrews, to whom she was married for 60 years, and her brother, Samuel Elzie Williams II. Oblique view from W along SW side of Deck Assembly building, showing low bay (Plate pre-fabrication) and the High-level Warehouse. Mr Regan and Mr OSullivan set up Ardersier Port (Scotland) in May and registered the business in Fraserburgh. After Port of Ardersier Ltd went into administration in November 2015, the property has gone on the market, according to the offer on JLL's website.. The B9092 subsequently links with the A96, which is the Port of Ardersier Ltd went into administration last year. In the 1970s, Ardersier was one of the largest oil rig fabrication yards in the world and employed up to 4500 workers. 3. An oblique aerial view of Ardersier fabrication yard, E of Inverness, looking E. Aerial view of the Moray Firth and Carse of Ardersier, looking E. General oblique aerial view of the Ardersier oil rig construction yard with the Black Isle and Sutherland beyond, looking to the N. Ian B M Ralston Aberdeen Archaeological Surveys. Oblique aerial view, looking NE over the Moray Firth and Ardersier fabrication site and Whiteness point. Elevated distant view of the Pipe Mill buildings from SSE. Previous purchases by the group in Scotland include the former Stoddards carpet factory in Kilmarnock, which is being developed as a residential site. The former McDermott fabrication yard at Ardersier is under new ownership. Ordnance Survey licence number 100057073. Elf Enterprise was the company which took delivery of the, last large contract to be completed by the Ardersier yard, the Piper, Bravo jacket and topsides which replaced the ill-fated Piper Alpha, The contract, for eight piles, each 72 metres long and weighing a, total of around 2000 tonnes, is thought to be worth in the region of, #500,000, and should employ 80 to 100 men for several weeks. As a country, we have our ten-point plan for industrial revolution. Former owner, Derbyshire-based land and property developer CWC Group, bought the yard in 2016 in a 5 million deal. Site NameArdersier, Oil Rig Construction Yard, ClassificationPlatform Fabrication Yard (Modern), Permalinkhttp://canmore.org.uk/site/75252. Read about our approach to external linking. At over 400 acres (162ha) and with more than a kilometre of quayside, Ardersier is the largest brownfield port in the UK. is still one big fabrication yard too many in Scotland. The Ardersier Port site is the largest brownfield port in the UK. McDermott Yard Ardersier GB0232/D922/3/2/2 In the Archive Centre we hold around 1600+ deposited collections, with new deposits being added frequently. We will continue with our plans to create a manufacturing hub in the north of Scotland as illustrated by the strategic partnership agreement signed between BW Ideol and the Port of Ardersier in September 2021, and more generally to work to engage with the wider Scottish supply chain.. Interior. "Dredging will commence this year and the port will be open in 2022.". Based in Brailsford, Derbyshire, the CWC Group was founded in 1964 by Charles Clowes, who went on to feature regularly in the Sunday Times Rich List of Britains richest people. General view from S of Deck Assembly building (centre), with High-level Warehouse (left). Steve Regan, a former chief executive of civil engineering firm Careys, and business partner Tony OSullivan, say the facility belongs to them now. Plans to build floating wind turbines by recycling redundant oil platforms could create 4500 jobs in the Highlands. Don't miss the latest headlines with our twice-daily newsletter - sign up here for free. A former oil and gas industry fabrication yard at Ardersier near Inverness has been sold. Canmore Disclaimer. But there is some speculation with the oil industry now, that given, recent moves towards yards and contractors coming together to submit, joint bids, and to delivering total planning to installation packages, for contracts, this contract could presage a more significant, The Dutch company, Heerema, which specialises in heavy lift and, installation of platform structures, took a stake in the MacDermotts. A new slipway will be created along with a 300m steel mill and a concrete production plant. Business partners Tony O'Sullivan and Steve Regan have acquired the former McDermott fabrication site from Clowes Developments for an undisclosed sum. In the 1970s, the site 14 miles east of Inverness was one of the largest oil rig fabrication yards in the world, employing up to 4,500 workers. View from N towards Paint Store on SW edge of yard. The Highland Council has today granted planning permission in principle to Port of Ardersier Ltd to establish an off-shore renewables port facility at the former McDermott Fabrication Yard at. In the past, the journalists job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. We are doing this to improve the experience forour loyalreaders and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. This photograph D922/3/2/2, is from the. Click here to sign up to our free newsletters. Aberdeen Journals Ltd 2023. At its peak, there were over 3,000 staff employed at Ardersier constructing offshore platforms for the oil industry. Opened by US engineering group McDermott in 1972, at its height the Ardersier fabrication yard had some 4500 staff, making it the largest private sector employer in the Highlands. 12 August 2021 A new planning application has been lodged to build a town with almost 2,000 homes and a marina on the site of a former North Sea oil and gas fabrication yard. View of the Pipe Mill buildings from SSE. Today is a monumental move towards the energy transition that the UK needs and desires. Access to the site is gained via a dedicated 2.5km long access road, which links to the B9092 to the south. What science tells us about the afterlife. He said: The UK, and its been widely documented, missed the last opportunity. All Rights Reserved. Gordon Arthur, director at Clowes Developments, commented: "We are delighted to complete the deal which will no doubt see the site prosper within the renewable energy market. The project's masterplan also includes a school, a hotel and an adventure playground. There has been widespread speculation over the future of the site since it went on the market earlier this year after its previous owners, Port of Ardersier, went into administration.