Hartlepool's port wins major contract to handle 26,000 tonnes of steel pipe for the Tolmount gas field in the North Sea

The owners PD Ports have won a major pipeline contract with global oilfield services company, Saipem, and they hope it will be part of the ‘building blocks’ which will bring more jobs and investment to the area.

The deal is to service the Tolmount gas field which is one of the largest undeveloped gas discoveries in the Southern North Sea.

The contract means the Port of Hartlepool will handle, temporarily store and load 26,000 tonnes of steel pipe over five weeks.

Then, the pipes will head out to the Tolmount gas field which is 40 miles off the coast of Yorkshire.

Saipem is based in Milan and gave the contract to PD Ports based on Hartlepool’s excellent port facilities and infrastructure.

On top of that, Saipem was also impressed by its ability to cater for large-scale offshore projects as well as its skilled and experienced workforce in steel handling.

The pipes arrived at the Port of Hartlepool via three shipments, each carrying around 9,000 tonnes of steel pipe. They have been stored within the extensive quayside warehouse facilities since arriving in April.

Work started on the deal in mid-June and PD Ports’ highly skilled team is managing the daily load out to supply the pipe-laying vessel in the North Sea, which expects to complete by the end of August.

PD Ports chief executive Frans Calje said: “This latest contact win builds on our long and proud history in the handling of steel pipes for major offshore projects at Hartlepool and demonstrates our vision to further develop our facilities and position the Port as a major UK offshore supply zone.

“We continue to invest heavily in our facilities and our people in the Tees Valley, and as a result we have built a highly regarded reputation for deliverable logistics services.

“This combination of capacity, infrastructure and skills has provided the building blocks to develop strong partnerships and attract new business to the region; stimulating economic growth and supporting local jobs within the supply chain.”

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