Petrofac North Sea Operations Acquired by CBI Securing 3000 UK Energy Jobs

Chicago Bridge and Iron Company has acquired Petrofac’s Aberdeen-based engineering and operations division in a rescue transaction that preserves approximately 3,000 positions within the United Kingdom’s energy sector. The Texas-based infrastructure specialist announced the takeover on Christmas Eve, marking a significant development for the North Sea oil and gas industry.

The acquisition addresses mounting concerns surrounding Petrofac’s operational continuity following the holding company’s entry into administration earlier this year. Financial pressures across its global operations precipitated the corporate restructuring, despite the UK division maintaining profitability throughout the period of uncertainty.

Petrofac’s North Sea operations represent a substantial component of Britain’s offshore energy infrastructure. The division manages production platforms for major energy corporations including BP, Shell, Ithaca Energy, and EnQuest. Additionally, the business maintains responsibility for constructing and servicing multiple offshore wind installations, positioning it as a critical enabler of the government’s renewable energy objectives.

Government officials had expressed considerable alarm regarding the potential collapse of these operations, recognising their importance to both traditional hydrocarbon production and the administration’s net zero commitments. The successful transaction alleviates immediate concerns about operational disruption across numerous North Sea facilities.

Tareq Kawash, chief executive of Petrofac, characterised the agreement as an optimal resolution that safeguards employment for 3,000 skilled personnel. The workforce retention represents a significant outcome for Scotland’s energy sector, which has faced persistent headwinds from policy uncertainty and operational challenges.

Chicago Bridge and Iron Company brings substantial credentials to the transaction as a leading global designer and constructor of storage infrastructure, terminals, and processing facilities for the energy industry. Mark Butts, the company’s chief executive, emphasised alignment between the organisations regarding management philosophy and safety performance standards.

The acquiring company identified opportunities to enhance operational performance and generate stable cash flows from the assets, factors supporting its long-term strategic growth objectives. CB&I’s integration of the Petrofac operations may provide operational synergies within its existing portfolio of energy infrastructure projects.

Financial terms of the transaction remain undisclosed, though market participants understand that CB&I has not assumed Petrofac’s debt obligations, previously estimated at £560 million. This structure suggests a asset-focused acquisition that isolates the operational business from legacy liabilities.

Petrofac established its presence four decades ago in Texas before expanding into the United Kingdom market, developing an engineering centre in Woking alongside operational facilities in Aberdeen. The company’s London Stock Exchange flotation in 2005 supported growth across training services, engineering consultancy, and complete platform operations for North Sea producers.

Recent years have proven challenging for the organisation. A corruption investigation by the Serious Fraud Office targeting the company’s Gulf operations during the 2010s resulted in a £77 million penalty. The COVID-19 pandemic subsequently disrupted construction schedules, impaired cash generation, and forced suspension of debt servicing arrangements.

Pressures intensified earlier this year when a protracted restructuring agreement collapsed following contract cancellation by a significant customer. The holding company’s subsequent appointment of administrators from Teneo created urgent requirements for asset disposal to preserve operational continuity.

James Bennett of Teneo, serving as administrator for Petrofac Limited, described the transaction as highly positive, securing the future of operations and employment for numerous highly qualified professionals. The outcome demonstrates the underlying value of the operational assets despite corporate-level financial distress.

The transaction carries broader implications for the United Kingdom’s energy sector. Operational stability for these facilities supports continued production from mature North Sea fields whilst preserving capabilities essential for offshore renewable energy development. The successful resolution may provide reassurance to other operators regarding asset value retention despite challenging market conditions.

Industry observers note that the acquisition reflects continued international interest in UK energy infrastructure assets, particularly those with diversified exposure across traditional and renewable energy sources. CB&I’s entry into the North Sea operations market may signal confidence in the long-term viability of the region’s energy industry despite ongoing policy debates surrounding hydrocarbon production.