Manufacturer secures Nigerian oil fields contract for Samsung

WIRE manufacturer Bridon has won a major contract to supply an oil field off the coast of Nigeria, owned by Samsung Heavy Industries.

Doncaster-based Bridon, which supplies wire and fire rope, has received the contract award from Samsung Heavy Industries, located in South Korea, to supply mooring cables for the Egina oil field.

With a design life of 25 years, each complete cable reel will weigh an impressive 185 tonnes – or more than 15 double decker buses.

Andy Dodwell, Bridon’s commercial director, said: “This demonstrates another significant achievement in our manufacturing capabilities, being the longest mooring cable Bridon has manufactured for more than a decade.

“Samsung Heavy Industries placing their confidence in us for this critical project mooring demonstrates Bridon’s position and status in technology leadership.”

The Egina oil field is located 150 km off the coast of Nigeria and covers an area of up to 500 sq mt. Oil reserves are estimated at 550 million barrels.

The Bridon Technology Centre in Doncaster is one of the world’s most advanced facilities for the development and testing of offshore ropes.

The £5m high-tech hub is a state-of-the-art facility, opened in 2013 to drive forward and enhance Bridon’s research and product development capabilities.

Mr Dodwell said: “We have significantly developed our global service offering, investing in purpose-built testing equipment. As a result of our innovations, the largest, most advanced ropes ever made are being sold around the world from Britain, helping to solve the challenges our modern offshore industries face,” added Andy.

Bridon’s Egina oil field contract is scheduled for delivery by the end of September this year.