I noted last week that a few folks from Helix Energy Solutions were making mention – and joyfully as well – that the MSV Seawell, after a major maintenance project in a yard in Swansea, was still operational after nearly 40 years of service. I have to say that I was there in the beginning and it was one of the most contentious times in the UK industrial – or rather de-industrial – era during the Thatcher period when the Conservative government of the day managed to waste millions in tax revenue from North Sea production paying off coal, steel and shipyard workers who were made redundant rather than investing in national infrastructure and industrial support.
The vessel was originally named Stena Seawell and was built at North East Shipbuilders in Sunderland to some acclaim. At the time, it was one of the most sophisticated offshore construction vessels in the industry, designed both for diving operations, but more importantly for subsea well intervention. This was a time when subsea was having one of its first growth spurts and operators were looking for ways to intervene on subsea completions without the high cost of using a rig. Seawell was going to be the first to be able to carry out such tasks. Shell UK Expro, an early exponent of subsea production, was one of the first companies to regularly charter this vessel for well intervention.
Stena organised a press trip to Norway for the naming and blessing ceremony for the vessel. Among those along for the ride were Energy Minister Peter Morrison, but he was taking a rather low profile, especially for him, his press spokesman and his sister, who was a lady in waiting to QEII. It seemed strange that Morrison, who was not exactly a shy retiring flower, should be so reticent to speak to the press. We were to learn why soon.
Ms Morrison was to officiate at the ceremony – it was customary at the time for this task which usually involved wasting a perfectly good bottle of champagne being smashed against the hull to be carried out by a woman. It was duly executed at which point the head man of Stena, who I believe was Dan Olsson, presented her with a significant piece of bling for this onerous task. The minister continued his low profile approach which we learned was because the government had announced that week it was closing the shipyard which had just delivered this world’s best vessel.
This was not to be the last misstep by the Conservatives who totally undervalued its energy assets. The following year, it allowed Britoil which was created by privatising British National Oil Corp assets to be acquired by BP. So while Norway’s government and populace continue to benefit from the success of Statoil-cum-StatoilHydro-cum-Equinor, we accrue little or nothing now from UK oil and gas reserves. Another sad tale to toss at the feet of the Tories, along with the failing water industry and the railroads. Ta Maggie.
