CDS Energy Services has recently had its FPAL (First Point Assessment) certification renewed, following a stringent audit process to confirm the firm’s capabilities and safe practices. The re-certification demonstrates the firm’s continued high-quality delivery of projects since first being awarded the certification.

FPAL is a supplier management database available to operators and large service providers in the European oil and energy industry, which enables transparent and efficient collaboration with high-quality suppliers like CDS Energy.

The information that this certification provides for potential CDS clients negates the need for repetitive requests for information, greatly simplifying the tender process by assuring them of the quality and effectiveness of the business operations early in the process.

CDS Energy offers a wide range of services, from bespoke projects to turnkey solutions, and its listing on the leading oil and gas supply chain database for the UK and Netherlands will allow it to continue to expand the scale of its operations.

FPAL has greatly increased the visibility of CDS Energy, making the process of taking on new projects much simpler. This allows the company’s skilled employees to focus their efforts on providing the high-calibre service the business is known for, without the extra pressure of a complicated and costly procurement cycle.

CDS is set to sponsor a Hull-based under-eights football team for the rest of the sporting season.

The Hull United team, which previously played at Dene Park, came to CDS’s attention following difficulties at the club when their team coach, Mike McGowan, set about obtaining support.

The team has now changed location and is training and playing at Pelican Park, Lambworth Road, in Hull in new football kits we have provided, including shorts, tops, socks and track suits, each incorporating the CDS Energy Services logo.

We have had some great feedback and the team is extremely grateful for our support and assistance with sponsorship, which has meant the club could keep running.

Here at CDS Energy Services, we are delighted to be part of such a worthwhile local scheme and we are happy to support the under-eights. We are want to ensure children in the area have the opportunity to participate in sporting activities and we are happy we could make such a difference to the team.

We wish the Hull United under-eights the best of luck in the 2015 / 2016 season.

CDS has completed a multi-million pound contract to deliver essential repairs to two platforms in one of Europe’s largest offshore gas field.

The East Yorkshire-based specialist carried out a series of works, including replacing two bridges and two flare stacks, on the Tyra East and Tyra West platforms in Denmark’s Tyra Field on behalf of Maersk & Seaway Heavy Lifting.

The project required a total field shutdown within a very short duration and in order to deliver the works, CDS supplied 120 workers and tradesmen, including riggers, pipefitters, platers, welders, crane operators and rope access personnel.

Danny Laybourne, managing director at CDS, said: “All of the associated works of this contract were completed successfully and on time within a very strict timeframe. We are delighted to have carried out these works on behalf of Maersk & Seaway Heavy Lifting and to have been given the opportunity to showcase our expertise in such a challenging environment once again.

“This was a major new win for CDS, strengthening our reputation for providing cost-effective and innovative offshore solutions. The project was both technically and time critical . It involved five months of planning prior to the delivery stage which had to be completed to limit the operational and commercial impact. We look forward to working with Maersk & Seaway Heavy Lifting in the future.”

CDS supplied work packs, lifting plans, tooling, equipment, all third party inspection and 28 24” butt welds as well as running 12 weld procedures and organising all planning and scheduling.

Tyra Field is the largest gas condensate field in the Danish Sector of the North Sea. It was discovered in 1968 and production started in 1984.

The total proven reserves of the Tyra gas field are around 1,250 billion cubic feet, and production is centered around 237.8 million cubic feet per day.

Tyra Field has two production complexes named Tyra West and Tyra East, connected by pipelines.

The facilities include both oil and gas production streams delivered from 20 gas-producing wells and 28 oil producing wells. Each platform has two wellhead platforms with compressed gas exported to Denmark and the Netherlands.

CDSs is pleased to announce its re-accreditation of a prestigious quality control qualification.

The industry accreditation, ISO 9001, was reissued after an extensive audit by the British Standard Institution (BSI). The audit showed that our staff have continued to follow the eight principles integral to ISO 9001’s quality management system.

The international accreditation is the world’s most recognised quality management system and this will continue to assist us in the monitoring and management of quality across all our operations. With a history of re-accreditation dating back over approximately fifteen years, this highlights our continued commitment to quality throughout the business.

ISO 9001 allows us to better meet our customer needs whilst time, money and resources are also managed more efficiently. ISO 9001 reduces errors whilst engaging staff, meaning our customers receive a higher level of service.

Our managing director, Danny Laybourne, said: “This will continue to change the way our company manages its business. It revolutionises the way we function, making sure our clients receive the best possible service.”

CDS, the Hull-based brownfield services specialist, is currently undertaking a major project to provide mechanical engineering services at Perenco’s Dimlington gas terminal in East Yorkshire.

Working on one of the most critical pieces of gas infrastructure serving the North Sea offshore fields, CDS is responsible for fabricating new mechanical components off-site at the company’s state-of-the-art facility and then installing them on-site to support Perenco’s multi-million pound upgrade of the natural gas refrigeration system.

CDS is required to execute the modification works on a live natural gas processing plant working around ongoing operations crucial to both the import of gas from three major pipelines in the North Sea and through to exporting via the UK’s gas transmission network.

CDS’ 50-strong team has been working on the project since April 2014, with its contracted works set to be completed in December 2015.

It is providing new fabrications, installation, testing and rigorous commissioning which will enable the plant to meet new environmental legislation relating to the refrigeration and storage of gas. CDS’s expanding team of industry experts is based on-site, using in-house resource to execute the full delivery of the project in four main phases.

During the first phase, CDS installed a number of temperature control valves and associated systems and instruments. During phases two and three, CDS is required to install a methanol distillation and storage unit, and supplementary chilling package. The final phase involves the installation of a newly fabricated Silica Gel Adsorber Vessel and associated equipment.

Phil Batty, business director at CDS, said: “We are delighted to be carrying out these essential works on behalf of Perenco. The first phase was completed successfully and we are now working towards completion on phases two and three.

“Our expertise in this field has enabled us to deliver the necessary works while the plant remained operational, with safety as a key driver.

“Through close collaboration with Perenco and its on-site team, we have ensured there has been no delay on delivery as well as ensuring the highest standards of both individual and process safety.

“We are looking forward to moving the project forward over the coming months with a goal of completing works by December.”

CDS has and will continue to provide a range of services to support the four main phases including pre-planning, project management, associated piping and supports, specialist welding and safety reviews.

CDS is based at a large, state-of-the-art facility in Yorkshire and prides itself on engaging local suppliers. The company has a successful track record of providing innovative engineering solutions, consistently meeting international standards, the Dimlington project is further reinforcement of CDS’ expertise in delivering complex, brownfield oil and gas projects

Perenco’s Dimlington Freon Replacement Project is a legislative environmental project in compliance with EU and UK laws. To meet the specification as set by the National Transmission System the terminal’s refrigeration units currently use Freon R-22. However, to meet the Montreal Protocol introduced through the EU Ozone Depleting Substances Directive, a phased removal of all HCFCs, including R-22, was introduced, to be in place by January 1, 2015.

To meet these legislative requirements, Perenco chose a hybrid J-T solution, reusing existing equipment and providing the appropriate level of flexibility and back-up required. The J-T portion of the project was completed on time by January 1, 2015.

CDS has outlined plans to take on a record number of apprentices this year as it looks to expand its training programmes to help meet its growing workload.

Based in Hull, CDS has a long and proud history of investing in the workforce of tomorrow and currently employs its highest ever number of apprentices.

Last year CDS took on three apprentices, all of whom undertook three-year apprenticeships, taking the total number of apprentices at the company to 10.

Danny Laybourne, a director at CDS, said: “Investing in our future workforce is vital to ensuring the longevity of CDS. However, it is as much about safeguarding our future as that of young people across the Humber region.

“There is a national skills shortage across a number of industries and the energy services industry is one of those.

“Our region has a fantastic opportunity to become the UK’s leading area for energy skills and we want to ensure we are doing all we can to make this happen.”

The latest intake of apprentices, which will be recruited throughout the year, will have the chance to work on some of CDS’s latest projects, gaining a rounded knowledge of all aspects of the company’s work and how the industry operates.

All apprentices will mix hands on industry experience with education, delivered in partnership with training provides in the region.

Its dedication to providing opportunities for young people across the Humber region to develop new skills and take their first steps into employment comes at a time when the energy services industry faces a glaring skills shortage.

Industry spotlight

Research commissioned by OPITO and conducted by Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen has predicted that over the next three years the UK oil and gas sector expects to welcome about 350 young people a year to the industry as apprentices, mainly in mechanical and electrical disciplines.

The study focused on three main areas – companies with an existing apprenticeship scheme, those with the potential to launch a scheme within the next two years and businesses that have no traineeship programmes in place.

An online questionnaire was sent to 382 companies across the industry, of which 107 replied. More than 68 per cent of respondents have an apprenticeship scheme in place or are planning on launching a programme in the next two years. Seventy-eight different programmes have been identified and a further 13 schemes have been predicted to start within the next two years.

The minimum age for the majority of the schemes analysed is between 16 and 17 years and the average duration of a scheme is three to four years. On completion, the apprentice will receive an SVQ/NVQ Level 3 or HNC qualification.

The company’s ambition to recruit a record number of apprentices comes on the back of a growing order book and after the completion of its second major expansion in less than four years.

CDS is looking to announce details of its 2015 apprenticeship opportunities in the coming months.

A pioneering collaboration between three industry-leading companies has been launched to cut costs in the oil and gas sector.

To form the C2O alliance, we have teamed up with On Line Design and Engineering and Optis Europe, companies we have worked with over the past 10 years and served the same clients in the brownfield oil and gas market for decades.

The mature relationship promotes increased value for money in the market, at a time when the price of oil has hit a six-year low and put severe strain on profitability amongst asset owners and operators. The affiliate organisations have already delivered in excess of £400m of projects together prior to formalising the alliance.

Not only does the collaboration represent a one-stop shop for the complete delivery of brownfield projects, it also reduces the reliance and cost of management contractors who have historically overseen the work undertaken by multiple subcontractors. C2O has not only established an opportunity to reduce the cost of asset-life solutions, they have also created an opportunity for single point accountability in the supply chain.

The collaboration has redefined value for the integrated delivery of brownfield energy projects. The unique model reduces the overall cost to the client, increases the quality of delivery through collaborative working and focuses on providing the right solution from the outset. This couldn’t have come at a better time for operators in the oil and gas market.

The alliance carries the new branding “C2O”, which reflects the integration of the three companies’ respective areas of expertise, which cumulatively form a complete project offering with clearer client interfaces.

Glenn Sibbick, Business Development Director said “In some ways it’s bordering on common sense – there is absolutely no doubt that we are stronger together. Sometimes, the realisation of true value only occurs in the face of adversity and we all need to think differently and identify areas to reduce cost and increase value when the market has been exposed to financial pressures with the price of oil plummeting to $50 a barrel or less.”

The relationship brings benefits beyond cost reduction. The management of projects is improved through linear collaboration and aligned problem solving.

The collaboration offers an opportunity to work together with our clients, delivering solutions without compromise to safety, process or the quality of execution. C2O is confident the need for re-work or delays will be drastically reduced in this new model. This offers increased cost certainty and control, in addition to increasing value.

The venture brings together knowledge, capability and experience for every stage of brownfield projects, not only as service providers, but also through intuitive owner operational experience offered by senior project staff at C2O who have more than 100 years’ experience in senior client roles.

Optis Europe, working closely with both On Line and ourselves, will execute the solutions development stage which, once agreed, will be fully designed by On Line Design & Engineering. CDS can then progress the project through fabrication (both on and off site) and undertake the construction phase. Commissioning and hook-up will be undertaken by all parties with operational handover fulfilled by Optis.

By having all the necessary health and safety, project management and systems skills, and accreditations to undertake entire projects, the venture is looking forward to presenting its offer to the market and realising opportunities for growth, diversification and value creation

CDS has capped a hugely successful year with the completion of our second major expansion in less than four years.

Our order book swelled in 2014, which led to the need for larger operational premises as well as an increased intake to our apprenticeship programme.

Construction work began on a new 10,000 square-feet state-of-the-art fabrication facility earlier this year and has increased operational space by 30 per cent.

Danny Laybourne, director at CDS, said: “The completion of the new fabrication facility marks a major milestone for CDS, and is something we are extremely proud of.

“The facility, which features two 10-tonne overhead cranes, office space, toilets, canteen and a new security office giving its 24-hour security team the facilities it requires, was completed in October and we are already seeing the benefits of the increased work space.

“The development represents a significant investment into the future of CDS, our staff and the energy services industry as a whole.”

The development comes hot on the heels of the opening of our original factory in 2010 and caps a fantastic year for us.

As well as expanding its operational space, we have also invested heavily in our future workforce by increasing the intake into our apprenticeship programme – we now boast 10 apprentices.

Danny said: “We are acutely aware of the need to invest in the future of our business and of the importance in investing in our future workforce. We have recently taken on three new apprentices and we hope that growth will continue in 2015 and beyond.

“To be in a position to expand both in terms of facilities and personnel so dramatically just four years after we opened our original factory is fantastic. It shows the work we are doing here is valued by existing and new clients as well as our staff.”

We have worked closely with our sub-contractors and construction is set to be completed by the end of September.

The decision to expand was taken after we secured a number of new contracts, including a major programme of works to replace two flare stacks and a bridge on the Tyra East and Tyra West platforms in the Danish sector of the North Sea, work which created 130 jobs.

Danny said: “Creating local jobs for young people looking to take their first steps into the industry is something we are very conscious of. We used local labor to build the new facility and we hope to be in a position to create further new jobs in the future.”

CE Marking demonstrates compliance with the appropriate manufacturing standard for a specific type of product. It is a manufacturer’s declaration that the product complies with the essential requirements of the relevant European health, safety and environmental protection legislation.

As a symbol, it will be familiar to most as it has been a requirement for many years on products such as toys and electrical goods where safety is critical.

CE Marking of construction products is becoming mandatory in all member states throughout the European Union and the European Economic Area.

Danny Laybourne, director at CDS, said it is testament to the high standards CDS demands that we have been awarded the certification, making us one of the very few energy service providers to have done so.

“CE Marking certification demonstrates our commitment to providing the best possible products and services to our customers. We are delighted to have achieved this after a stringent assessment process – it is another feather in the cap of the team here at CDS.

“The certification is instantly recognisable due to the fact it has been adopted across a number of other industries already but it is a relatively new requirement within the industry in which we operate so it is a fantastic achievement to have received it so quickly.”

As well as showing a product complies with relevant European health, safety and environmental protection legislation, CE Marking also:

• Indicates to governmental officials that the product may be legally placed on the market in their country
• Ensures the free movement of the product within the EFTA & European Union (EU) single market (total 28 countries)
• Permits the withdrawal of the non-conforming products by customs and enforcement/vigilance authorities

CDS has teamed up with boxer Tommy Coyle in a new knockout partnership.

We are one of the region’s leading service providers in the energy industry and, as part of our commitment to supporting local people and organisations, sponsor a sports team based in the city each year.

Over the past few years, we have supported Hedon Rangers AFC, Hull Ionians RUFC, East Hull ARLFC and West Hull rugby league club.

This year, we chose to support Tommy as he prepared for his fight against former world title challenger Michael Katsidis in October, which he won with a second round knockout at Hull Ice Arena.

Danny Laybourne, a director at CDS, said: “We are delighted to secure a sponsorship deal with Tommy Coyle. Tommy is a role model to a lot of young people in Hull, and was an obvious choice for us.

“The one-year sponsorship has already contributed towards Tommy’s warm weather training before his fight against Katsidis, a fight I’m sure every boxing fan in Hull enjoyed.

“Sponsoring an individual sports person is something we have not done previously but the chance to reward an athlete in a sport that requires such dedication and hard work was something that appealed to us.

“We would like to wish Tommy the very best for his future fights and look forward to our association with him and his team for the rest of the year.”

Tommy’s victory over Katsidis set up a mouth-watering contest against fellow Hull boxer and Olympic gold medallist Luke Campbell at the KC Stadium in the summer.