Offshore oil heavy-hitters Saipem and Seaway7 forge global wind construction tie-up

Contracting giants seal deal to pursue work on 'large integrated turnkey projects' in Europe, the UK and the US, building on recent collaboration at 1.1GW Seagreen in North Sea

Saipem's S7000 crane vessel installing one of turbines for the Hywind Scotland floating wind array
Saipem's S7000 crane vessel installing one of turbines for the Hywind Scotland floating wind arrayFoto: Saipem

Offshore oil & gas mainstays Saipem and Seaway7 are linking up to tackle “large integrated turnkey wind projects” at sea.

The collaboration deal between the two European contractors, both early movers in the offshore energy transition, will encompass engineering and construction work on bottom-fixed foundations and inter-array cables as well as installation of wind turbines and substations.

“The collaboration will enhance operational flexibility and enable early engagement with both clients and the supply chain to optimise design and execution strategies, and to secure critical enabling assets, including vessels and yards,” the pair said, announcing the deal.

Chief operating officer of Saipem’s offshore wind business Gianalberto Secchi said: “The agreement with Seaway7 represents an important milestone to offer a more competitive value proposition… on certain integrated fixed wind projects.

“Together, we will be able to provide a full set of services for wind farms in line… with best serving the growth in renewable power production projects.”

Italys’s Saipem – which in 2020 told Recharge it was targeting deriving half of its offshore engineering and construction division’s revenue from non-oil projects within a decade – and UK-headquartered Seaway7 – a high-profile transitioning sector player with assignments on project’s including the giant Dogger Bank in the North Seahave already worked together on the 1.1GW Seagreen off Scotland, where they installed the project’s 114 turbine foundations.

Seaway7 CEO Stuart Fitzgerald said: “This cooperation… builds on the successful collaboration on Seagreen. Working together, we will be well-positioned to efficiently utilise complementary assets and capabilities to create differentiated technical solutions and further optimise project execution.

“The strengthened offering will also expand the potential market for EPCI [engineering, procurement, construction and installation] opportunities through our combined fleet and expertises”.

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Published 24 February 2023, 10:35Updated 24 February 2023, 10:35
SaipemSeaway 7North SeaEuropeOffshore