Petrofac, the international oil & gas service provider, will take over duty holder responsibilities for the Irish Sea Pioneer (ISP) for BHP Billiton in the Liverpool Bay Development effective 1 December 2006. Petrofac will employ all of the offshore crew and onshore staff in a contract worth approximately £3 million per annum.

The ISP is a jack-up support vessel located off the North Wales coast in the Irish Sea. BHP Billiton is the licence operator for the ISP and the vessel will support operations within Liverpool Bay. The production unit is centred on the Douglas platform which is the hub for three unmanned satellite production platforms at Hamilton, Hamilton North and Lennox, and an oil storage installation (OSI). Petrofac also supports operations at the onshore gas terminal at the Point of Ayr.

Petrofac’s relationship with BHP Billiton and Liverpool Bay commenced at the inception of the asset and both companies have worked together to maximise safe production through field life. The contract scope was increased in May 2000 to include the OSI. The additional responsibility of the ISP will increase Petrofac’s staff commitment to over 250 professionals.

Paddy Mallan, director operations management south for Petrofac, said: “This contract enhances the existing relationship between Petrofac and BHP Billiton on Liverpool Bay assets and demonstrates our long-term commitment in providing integrated operations support to the field”.

Francis Egan, BHP Billiton’s UK production unit manager, said: “BHP Billiton will acquire the ISP from present owners Halliburton with effect from 30 November. We are pleased to award duty holder responsibilities for the ISP to Petrofac, and we look forward to maintaining very high standards of HSE performance, and achieving synergies by integrating this with the existing support for Liverpool Bay already provided by Petrofac.”