When major projects call, sleep must wait

The Esbjerg-company, E. Skov Jørgensen is one of the smaller companies having gained a position in the offshore industry. PE-plastic pipes are an attractive solution to many corrosion problems on platforms.

When the E. Skov Jørgensen at the end of the 90es knocked on the doors of Maersk Contractors he knew, that by specializing in welding of plastic pipes he could offer a product useful to the offshore industry.

Plastic pipes do not present the standard corrosion problem having plagued platforms for many years, so since then E. Skov Jørgensen has deve-loped into a supplier of cooling water pipes, drainage and vacuum systems for primarily the Maersk rigs. Among the company’s -latest contracts was replacement of the drainage system under the drillfloor of Maersk Giant when it called at Esbjerg in the end of 2006.

Fitters Klaus Klikkenborg and Tonny
Nielsen from E. Skov Jørgensen working
deep down inside Maersk Giant during
the rig´s November call at Esbjerg.

“To us it was a major project requiring 20 men for three weeks, and I must admit, we did not sleep much during that period. But, naturally, we managed the job as promised,” declares Director Carsten Sølvbjerg.

As one of the four owners of the company he is responsible for plastic welding and thereby the activities within the oil and gas industry now contributing to a third of the company’s 28 million DKK turn-over. Major projects at Maersk-rigs like Giant, Endeavour, Guardian, Exerter and Enhancer normally amount to some 2 million DKK pr. job. In addition to jobs for Maersk the company has worked for Hess when replacing the water installations at the accommodation of South Arne.

“Working in the offshore industry has taught us that deadlines are extremely critical. Planning and logistics are of paramount importance, but it is challenging to handle that kind of projects.” Lately four of his staff have joined Maersk Guardian on its journey from South Africa to Holland. That platform hardly has one plastic pipe which has not been replaced during its work in countries like Egypt and Australia. Before the company got as far as working for the major offshore operators and their suppliers it had to be approved by DnV and Lloyds. That required two years of hard struggle and a lot of money.

But it turned out to be worth the cost. The 34 years old company working in classical areas like sanitary installations and ventilation now has got the offshore industry as an additional leg providing a stronger foundation to rest on – and offering its employees work in the North Sea and faraway ports as well.