Acquisition enhances emergency response services for offshore industry

Leading total facilities solutions provider Petrofac has acquired Rubicon  Response Limited the internationally renowned specialist in emergency response, training and consultancy services, it is announced today (Monday  January 31). Aberdeen-headquartered Rubicon Response has become part of Petrofac  Training, which was established as a division of Petrofac in February 2004 following Petrofac’s acquisition of RGIT Montrose.

The deal will enable Petrofac to consolidate and extend its established position of providing independent response services to oil industry clients.

Petrofac Training Managing Director, Murray Strachan said: “Rubicon Response has developed an international reputation for excellence  in its delivery of services and its integration into Petrofac Training is another step forward for us to become a leading global provider of  technical, HSE and emergency response training, training management & consultancy services. “The deal has great strategic fit and enhances the product and service  capability of Petrofac Training, whilst at the same time providing the  infrastructure and management support to accelerate Rubicon Response’s  long-term growth plans.” Petrofac has a dedicated emergency response suite at its Aberdeen headquarters, and Rubicon Response has a 24/7 response capability in place with a team of highly-trained staff regularly exercised to support offshore emergencies.

Rubicon Response, which has a staff of approximately 30, will continue to  operate as a division within Petrofac Training, retaining its own brand  identity and existing premises and will continue to be led by Managing Director, Jim Walker.

Rubicon Response’s business has three key elements: Professional Services, Response Services and Training. The training aspect focuses on strategic  and overall operational management of emergencies or incidents and sits alongside existing OIM, control room operator and emergency management  training provided by its new sister division, RGIT Montrose. 

Jim Atack, Managing Director of Petrofac Facilities Management in Aberdeen, said: “Given the continuing emergence of new and smaller operators in the North Sea, we believe it makes sense to consolidate and build the offshore  industry’s emergency response capabilities in the existing, mature, service  sector.

“This acquisition creates a critical mass of highly-trained professionals  already serving the industry very effectively in this role. “Fewer, highly experienced, emergency response providers will make the co-ordination of a wider emergency response – involving the coastguard, police and other services – more simple and thus more effective.  It will allow for the development of processes and procedures that will really work when they are needed.” 

Jim Walker, Managing Director of Rubicon Response said: Rubicon Response has built an extremely impressive track record supporting clients in the North Sea and elsewhere, and we are experiencing growing demand for our services. As part of Petrofac Training we can take the provision of our services to the next level whilst maintaining the specialist nature of what we do.   

“Whilst continuing to provide important support to major operators, many of the smaller and new operators in the North Sea require a different type  of emergency response service, designed to meet specific needs & provided on a regular, if not continuous basis. 

“By combining the depth of capability and experience provided by Petrofac with the specialist services of Rubicon Response, unique services of the  highest quality can be offered to the market. 

“We see this as a significant step towards becoming the world leader for provision of Emergency Response and Crisis Management services, and are very much looking forward to working as part of Petrofac.”