London, UK | – British energy super major BP Plc is to hire more than 500 workers for major construction projects in the North Sea. The 534 jobs are linked to the hook-up and commissioning of the Clair Ridge development and BP’s Glen Lyon FPSO, due to arrive in the west of Shetland.
“This is a very welcome announcement from BP that will provide a ray of light during what has been a particularly bleak period in the history of the North Sea”, Alexander Burnett MSP, Scottish Conservative Energy spokesman, told the Guardian.
Overall, the jobs are expected to last at least 18 months and workers are being recruited by Amec Foster Wheeler, on behalf of BP.
The completion of the installation of the modules for Clair Ridge should be completed this week, while the arrival of the Glen Lyon FPSO is set to arrive to the waters offshore Shetland on Sunday.
Combined, the two projects are expected to raise a total of one billion barrels over the next forty years.
“A commitment to not only create 534 jobs, but to stay and keep producing for up to 40 years is a real boost at a very challenging time and should provide confidence for other operators and investors that there remains a strong future for the sector,” the minister added.
The announcement comes as good news for the oil and gas sector, which has suffered from the downfall in oil prices.
In fact, earlier this year, BP announced 600 permanent job cuts, which represent approximately 20% of its total workforce. Last year, the oil giant had already announced a further 300 jobs lost, also as a result of the oil downturn.
However, the company continues to invest in the North Sea region, following an announcement that it doubled its stake in the North Sea Culzean development earlier in May.
