SubSea 7 is on the cusp of commencing work on a significant project involving three pipeline bundles for Aker BP in the North Sea. The project, set to be undertaken at SubSea 7's Caithness yards at Wester and Hastigrow, has been hailed as a promising development for the local economy, with expectations of a substantial increase in employment and positive outcomes for the regional supply chain.

According to an Aberdeen-based spokeswoman for SubSea 7, the company is currently making preparations for the project. Their unique pipeline bundle technology integrates various essential components, including structures, isolations, valve work, pipelines, and control systems required for operating a field, all within a single product.

The initial pipeline bundle, designated for the PWP-Fenris Project in the Central North Sea, will span a length of two kilometers and is slated for launch in 2024. Subsequently, the second and third pipeline bundles for the Yggdrasil Field, positioned approximately 450 kilometers north of Fenris, will measure 7.6 kilometers and 6.8 kilometers, respectively, and are expected to be launched in 2025.

The spokeswoman emphasized that Subsea 7's Wester workforce is adept at adapting to meet project demands and will reach approximately 120 individuals at peak capacity to manage the fabrication work for these ventures.

Trudy Morris, the Chief Executive of the Caithness Chamber of Commerce, expressed her enthusiasm, regarding these contracts as a significant boon for the local economy, with the potential to generate employment opportunities and foster growth within the regional supply chain. She underlined SubSea 7's longstanding expertise in crafting pipeline bundles for the North Sea, highlighting the intricate engineering and fabrication involved, as well as the launch processes at the Wester Site.

Notably, Caithness has been at the forefront of pipeline bundle fabrication since 1978, initially by Kestrel Marine and subsequently by SubSea 7 for an extended period. SubSea 7's Caithness facilities encompass two fabrication shops along with office, maintenance, storage, and launch amenities. The construction tracks boast a combined capacity of nearly 28 kilometers for pipeline bundles and associated activities, underscoring the region's pivotal role in supporting significant offshore projects in the North Sea.