Subsea 7 insight for Thrumster SWI group
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Chairwoman Marion Gordon welcomed everyone to the October meeting of Thrumster SWI including guests from the Berridale Institute.
Willie Watt, who worked at Subsea 7 for 40 years, was the guest speaker. He explained how Subsea 7 set up at Wester when oil production was at its peak.
The massive pipes used to be brought up by road, often causing hold-ups at the Berriedale Braes, but are now brought by rail. Willie played a video of the tow heads being constructed in Invergordon before being loaded onto a barge and taken to Wick.
He explained how they use virtual reality to make sure the massive tow heads, weighing up to 5 tons, can be manoeuvred around the narrow streets on the way to Wester.
He said that Subsea 7 recognise there is an environmental impact of the work but the company carries out environmental projects to lessen the impact, as well as working with schools to promote environmental protection and supporting local charities.
Marion said that many of the group did not know how big the site at Wester is and how many skilled welders are working there. “The talk was so informative and enjoyable,” she said. “Caithness is ideal for the work done by Subsea 7 because of its flat terrain and they have built a bridge that opens to allow the tow heads to pass through to Sinclair’s Bay to be taken to wherever needed worldwide.”
Marion thanked Willie for such an interesting talk and video and how it made her realise it’s a lot more than seeing yellow pipes crossing the land, it’s an industry that Caithness should be proud of.
The next meeting is the AGM on November 1.
