Bibby Challenge arrived in Scalloway in June 2013, to provide accommodation for hundreds of BP workers undertaking a major long term maintenance programme at Sullom Voe oil terminal. The terminal located in Scotland, was built between 1975 and 1981 during its construction 6,000 people were employed, it is one of the biggest oil and liquefied gas terminals in Europe.
In present day oil is exported from the Clair field in the West of Shetland to the Sullom Voe facility via an existing pipeline. The oil and gas is stored, processed and finally distributed worldwide by tankers.
Scalloway is a small town on the West coast of the Shetland Islands, and existing accommodation is difficult to find. With a large influx of workers expected, BP needed to find a number of rooms quickly in order for their project to run to timescale.
Bibby Challenge offered 280 en suite bedrooms, alongside a range of facilities including a large kitchen and restaurant, bar, gym and a number of TV/games rooms. BP initially chartered Bibby Challenge for one year, but were so impressed with the barge they requested to extend the charter for a further 18 months.
“Bibby Challenge has offered a great solution for our project’s needs, and provides our workers with a comfortable home in a remote location. The facilities onboard have proved to be very popular, and our catering and housekeeping company have found the spaces easy to use. We regard Bibby Challenge as a good value solution, and after initially chartering the vessel for one year, we asked for options to extend for another 18 months”
– BP