Another £5 million is to be made available to the supply chain in Scotland to help maximise the economic benefit from the decommissioning of North Sea infrastructure.

Energy minister Paul Wheelhouse announced earlier this month that the Decommissioning Challenge Fund (DCF) will re-open for a third round of funding.

Following grants worth £4.8 million in 2017, DCF 3 will support infrastructure upgrades at Scotland’s ports, innovation in retrieval and transport approaches, and supply chain projects that will strengthen Scottish
decommissioning capabilities and capacities.

It can also support engineering scoping work, feasibility studies and business development at key sites to help to attract further private investment.

Alongside the Decommissioning Action Plan, launched by Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise at the end of 2016, the fund will help Scotland’s oil and gas sector to make the most of decommissioning opportunities at home and abroad.

Speaking during a visit to Aberdeen to meet the new CEOs of Decom North Sea and Aberdeen Harbour, John Warrender and Michelle Handforth, Mr Wheelhouse said: “I’m delighted that we can offer a third round of funding for decommissioning projects.

“The Scottish government is committed to enhancing the capability of the Scottish supply chain, with funding and assistance available for projects that will contribute to making Scotland a world leader in decommissioning.”