Regalia leaves Scapa Flow
(Picture: Craig Taylor)
The view over Scapa Flow changed at the weekend when the accommodation rig Regalia left for the North Sea, after six months at anchor in the Flow.
During that time, there has been much activity surrounding the Regalia with over 400 vessel movements carrying local supplies, weekly crew changes, waste collection, scaffolding for maintenance and marine engineers.
Michael Morrison, business development manager at Orkney Islands Council said on Monday: “Visiting rigs are a new market both for the Harbour Authority and the local supply chain, but the rig owners and operators Prosafe appear to have been extremely pleased with the service all round, so much so that the Prosafe accommodation rig Safe Zephyrus is due to arrive in Scapa Flow this week for a short term anchorage and it is hoped that the Regalia will return in early July.”
He added: “The economic benefit to the local supply chain has been considerable over the six month period, with the rig being the subject of an extensive maintenance programme with almost exclusive use of local skills and resources.
“Over a million pounds been spent locally by Prosafe, the vast majority of this going directly to local marine, wholesale and transportation services. This level of spend and more is expected to continue with future rig arrivals in Scapa Flow.
“With the crude oil price now rising close to US$ 50 a barrel, the highest level for almost two years, it is hoped that this will reinvigorate the oil and gas industry and that Scapa Flow can play host to such vessels for the longer term.”
Looking at the possibility of attracting further trade from the oil and gas sector, Mr Morrison added: “We are in conversation with rig owners and managers to explore the potential of Scapa Flow and the local supply chain to accommodate and service the wider rig market.”