• Peterhead is set to become the epicentre of flexible activity for the North Sea’s future energy landscape with a new quayside handling facility by MDL.
• The North-east flex-lay services company has entered a long-term agreement with Peterhead Port Authority (PPA) to lease over 14,000m2 of land at Smith Embankment with access to Smith Quay through a dedicated spooling route.

The MDL Energy Service Base will provide optimised handling and storage services for power cables and mooring lines destined for new offshore wind developments, as well as enabling replacement and repair of flexibles as part of life-of-field operations. This will include supporting power and utilities sectors such as telecommunications.

The multipurpose facility will also be used as MDL marine operations base and will host its fleet of portable flex-lay technology for offshore deployment, as well as Project Management & Engineering services for managing vessel mobilisations - consolidating the company’s 25-year presence in the town since its inception.

MDL plans to invest over £12m at the site over the next 3 years to support the marine operations and spooling activities, including building of the multipurpose facility, carousels, reels and specialist handling equipment.

Derek Smith, CEO of MDL, said:
“This new Peterhead facility is a milestone in MDL’s journey – purpose-built to support the energy transition, but with immediate value for today’s operations. With direct access to the quayside, it strengthens our ability to offer turnkey support to offshore contractors and operators, through a central hub for equipment preparation, servicing and support.

“As offshore wind activity ramps up, the sector will need dependable partners with the track record and know- how to support every phase of the project lifecycle – from construction through to ongoing field operations. From dynamic risers and buoyancy modules to cable connectors and mooring lines, these complex systems demand ongoing care and expert handling – and that falls exactly within MDL’s 25-year expertise.

“At the same time, we are perfectly placed to support maximising output from existing operations through timely O&M response, as well as enabling efficient decommissioning scopes for those end-of-life projects – making this a base designed specifically for the future, but very much considered for the present.

“From fishing to oil and gas, and now renewables, MDL has always been about servicing the life of the field – and this base reflects that legacy while preparing us for the future of energy in the North Sea. It’s another step in our ongoing drive to innovate, diversify and support the sector through every chapter of its evolution.

“And so, the MDL Energy Service Base is not just a reflection of our ambition, but of our deep-rooted commitment to serving the marine and energy industries for the long term.”

Graeme Reid, CEO of Peterhead Port Authority, said:
“The collaboration with MDL is a proud moment for Peterhead and a testament to the strength of our local supply chain and potential of our local community. By welcoming this new facility, which will take advantage of the Port’s fantastic existing and planned infrastructure, we’re not only supporting the future of offshore energy but also creating meaningful opportunities for local people and businesses.”

“It’s about building a sustainable future together—one that keeps Peterhead at the heart of innovation while staying true to our roots as a hardworking, forward-looking port town."

KeyFacts Energy Industry Directory: Maritime Developments (MDL)