Archer, the global oilfield service provider, has commenced construction of a new 70,000 square foot base at Blackburn, Aberdeen in response to company expansion and recruitment requirements.
The new facility will house over 170 employees who will relocate from the company’s four existing bases in Dyce and in Echt, near Westhill. Due to an increase in activity the company is in the process of recruiting over 220 additional employees by the end of the year to support its North Sea operations.
The site will include a 30,775 sq ft three-storey office building and gym, a separate 30,814 sq ft workshop and warehouse facility with adjoining 3,995 sq ft office space, and a three acre concrete yard.
Archer and main contractor Morrison Construction expects the new warehouse and workshop facility to be operational in September while the main office building will be ready for occupancy prior to Christmas 2013.
Kenny Dey, Managing Director – UK and Manager of Platform Drilling, Archer, said: “The new Aberdeen base signifies the continued growth of Archer in Aberdeen and the North Sea region. It will allow us to service the needs of our clients, to plan and prepare for future growth due to the increased space and facilities, and it also places us in a stronger position to attract new personnel.
“We plan to increase employee numbers by the end of the year, taking on junior to senior level offshore and onshore personnel. We are pleased with the prime location of the site at Blackburn as well as the improvement in facilities for our employees such as a gym and serviced canteen, while travel times will continue to improve with the AWPR now underway.
“We are one of the largest platform drilling contractors in the North Sea and we currently provide wireline services, drilling facilities engineering, tool rentals, wellbore cleanout and plugging services to multiple major clients within the UK drilling industry. This new integrated Aberdeen base will help to further endorse our standing in the marketplace and will support business growth across each of our service areas.”
The facility is being developed by Kingseat Development 3 Ltd, a joint venture involving Morrison Construction under their complete property solution initiative and Ninth Avenue LLP.
Mike Bruce, Regional Director of Morrison Construction’s North East business, said: “We have a proven track record in the delivery of many major commercial projects and this latest award complements our growing portfolio of construction projects for the oil and gas sector.
“Our complete property solution initiative is a natural extension of our design and construction expertise. This involved working closely with all parties on building design and management of consents procedures, funding and leasing requirement, as well as the actual construction of the development.
“Our early involvement with Archer on this project will ensure the delivery of the site and facilities required for current operations and future growth and we look forward to completing Archer’s Aberdeen HQ on schedule.”
The project is key in supporting Morrison Construction’s local supply chain partners with the majority of the works being carried out by local tradesmen and businesses within a 30 mile radius of the site.
Archer specializes in production drilling, unconventionals, well integrity and well intervention products and services. The company employs over 8,300 personnel through 118 global locations, with key regional bases in the North Sea, Middle East, Asia, North and Latin America.
Archer creates new wells, or equips those already in service, to produce oil and gas profitably and safely, with no harm to people or the environment, across the longest possible timeframe.
