A former North Sea worker is looking to revolutionise the way people travel offshore by building a huge floating hotel, harbour and helideck in the middle of the sea.
SPP Offshore is in talks with several global firms about putting huge hubs in the ocean to help ease the burden on helicopters.
Boats would dock underneath the giant structure, bringing up to 1,000 people on board at any one time.
They would then be shuttled out to platforms.
Speaking at the OTC Conference in Houston yesterday, senior vice-president Nicolaas Vandenworm said the first could be built off the coast of Brazil.
He believes that with some adjustments to cope with the harsh weather, the technology could easily be deployed in the North Sea
He said: “It is essentially a floating service centre.
“It is important that we select the right boat and some of the activity would depend on the weather, so there are limitations.
“Our first focus area is Brazil and Gulf of Mexico, then we will focus on the North Sea. It will be a challenge but I think we can overcome that.”
The technology has been patented and Houston-based SPP has secured interest from Bristow.
Questions have been raised about why there have been more helicopter accidents in the UK, compared to Norway. Long flying hours are being looked at and Mr Vandenworm, who worked for Sedco Drilling in Aberdeen in the 80s, believes the hub could be a solution.
“I’m aware of the problems in Scotland,” he said, adding: “I think we could make this work in the central North Sea, which would help cut flying time offshore. We prefer using a trimaran, which is a wave-piercing boat, which limits seasickness.
“The hotel has capacity for 1,000 people. It would be a complimentary measure for helicopters.
“It would also have capacity for drilling fluids, so become like a corner shop for oil firms.”