First Minister opens subsea technology welders

Alex Salmond said the base in Clydebank, near Glasgow, is attracting skilled jobs to the area.

“It reinforces the fact that Scotland is leading the way when it comes to new ideas, new solutions and new developments that will help us meet the technical challenges associated with future oil and gas fields,” he said.

“This facility, brought to Scotland by a major offshore energy contractor, clearly demonstrates that Scotland is the place for business investment in innovative development, skills and expertise.”

The Global Pipeline Welding Development Centre was built with £10 million investment from offshore energy contractor Subsea 7.

It was supported with a grant of £800,000 from government agency Scottish Enterprise.

Subsea 7 employs 150 people including more than 65 engineering and project management staff and around 30 welding technicians in Clydebank.

Steve Wisely, executive vice-president at the company, said: “There are many technical challenges associated with the subsea market as oil and gas discoveries are being made in deeper water and harsher environments.

“The continued development of new pipeline welding technology is therefore a key enabler for Subsea 7 to help meet these challenges where we need to have access to a world-leading research capability.”