HARTLEPOOL NEWS
17,000-TONNE PLATFORM
ARRIVES AT TEES PORT
The arrival at Able Seaton Port of
another giant oil and gas platform
was heralded as “a further
example of how we are a world leader
in an industry which can bring jobs and
investment into Teesside for many years
to come”.
Peter Stephenson, founder and
executive chairman of Able UK, was
speaking after the successful operation to
transport the 17,000-tonne Brent Alpha
platform from north-east of the Shetland
Islands to Able Seaton Port in preparation
for its dismantling and recycling.
The Brent Alpha is the third platform
from the Shell Brent field to be
decommissioned at Able Seaton Port.
As with the previous platforms, the
Brent Delta and Brent Bravo, the operation
involved Allseas’ giant single lift vessel
Pioneering Spirit, with the final stage
Engineering consultancy
awarded respected
accreditations
Eagle Eye Integrity Specialists, which provides
non-destructive testing (NDT), manpower and
unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) services, has
gained ISO 45001 & ISO 9001 under UKAS from
Lloyds Register.
Established in 2017, the engineering
consultancy operates across several European
countries and has been involved in projects
such as the Tramburg B2 tram bridge in
Antwerp and Chartres train station pedestrian
bridge in France.
Managing director Scott Standing said:
“We have developed a range of effective and
high-quality services, which are supported
by a robust business structure that has
been endorsed by these respected quality
standards.”
involving the transfer to the Allseas’ cargo
barge The Iron Lady for the tow into the
Seaton Channel and load-in at Able Seaton
Port’s specialist £20m quay six.
Mr Stephenson revealed that as well as
the arrival of the Brent Alpha, more major
contracts are set to begin over the coming
months – further evidence of Able UK’s
international reputation, built up over many
years, and of the company’s expertise in
the international marine decommissioning
industry.
He explained: “The Brent contract is just
about the most prestigious oil and gas
decommissioning project in the world.
“The fact that we were selected
is testament to our commitment to
undertake complex and challenging
operations to the highest environmental
standards, working with many of the
world’s major energy companies.”
EDUCATION FIRM
IS UP AND ATOM
Community interest company
Atoms Education has become
a nationwide success thanks
to fun interactive sessions that
enable children to become
ninjas in topics such as stories,
cakes, art, maths and science.
The Hesleden-based social
enterprise provides educational
workshops based around art,
design and technology, maths,
literacy and science.
Education director Alex
Summerson said: “We have
been able to provide support to
families across the North East
and further afield throughout
the coronavirus pandemic
and have received beautiful
feedback from parents and
guardians about how the kits
have helped to nurture a love
of education.”
ADMINISTRATORS
EXPLORING GRAND
HOTEL OPTIONS
Efforts are being made to find a
buyer for the Grand Hotel after
the announcement that it had
closed and staff were being made
redundant.
The historic Swainson Street
building’s owner Shepherd Cox
Hotels (Hartlepool) has gone into
administration.
Other hotels affected by
the collapse were based in
Bicester, Darlington, Manchester,
Sedgefield and Chesterfield. They
employed around 100 people
between them.
The business was placed
into administration after a court
application by several investors.
Exciting plans for
unused town centre
building revealed
The future of the empty threestorey
Bovis House in Victoria
Road looks brighter after
community project Poolie Time
Exchange signed a ten-year lease.
They plan to support up to 40
companies that need space to
rent and will open a community
shop selling second-hand and
nearly-new goods in the former
job centre, which has 16,000
square feet of floor space.
The exchange supports people
to find employment in return for
volunteering in the community.
It has recently delivered
thousands of meals and food
parcels to vulnerable and isolating
residents.
TEES
Business.
Tees Renewable Energy Plant
(Tees REP) is a huge biomasspowered
combined heat and
power plant by MGT Power. The
£650m project will diversify the
UK’s energy resources and will
generate enough electricity to
power 600,000 homes.
#TalkingUpTeesside #TalkingUpTeesValley
The voice of business in the Tees region | 91