Professor John Robertson OBA

Thanks to ArtyHetty for alerting me to this.

From the Orkney Times, yesterday.

Petrofac, one of Aberdeen’s largest employers has entered administration.

A statement released by the company on 27 October stated:

Having carefully assessed its options, and the impact of TenneT’s decision to terminate Petrofac’s scope of work on the 2GW programme in the Netherlands, the Directors of Petrofac Limited (the Group’s ultimate holding company) have applied to the High Court of England and Wales to appoint administrators to Petrofac Limited.

Not in the MSM coverage, only in the Orkney Times and here, despite being said in the House of Commons:

An angry Stephen Flynn, SNP, Aberdeen South said:

“May I convey in the strongest possible terms to the junior Minister the anger and anxiety that is felt by my constituents in Aberdeen?

“Right now they are providing energy security to each and every one of us on these isles, as well as revenue to his Treasury, yet their only reward, and the only certainty they seem to have on this Government’s watch, is that of looming job losses.

“May I ask him to come to Aberdeen and explain to my constituents when he is going to listen to the trade unions, the academics, the workers and the industry and protect that industry, not only for our energy security but for Scotland’s economy?”

https://theorkneynews.scot/2025/10/28/anger-anxiety-in-aberdeen-over-future-jobs-after-petrofac-announcement/

Note that ‘junior minister‘?

Will Petrofac going into administration risk jobs in the north of Scotland?

Yes, Petrofac’s entry into administration poses a significant risk to approximately 2,000 jobs in the north of Scotland, particularly in the Aberdeen area, where the company’s North Sea operations are headquartered. These roles are primarily in engineering, construction, operations, and support services for offshore oil and gas platforms, affecting both onshore (around 800 workers) and offshore (about 1,200) positions. The broader supply chain in the region could also face indirect impacts, amplifying economic concerns in an area already transitioning from traditional energy sectors.Key Background on Petrofac’s SituationPetrofac, a major UK-based energy services provider, applied to the High Court of England and Wales on October 27, 2025, to appoint administrators (Teneo Financial Advisory) for its ultimate holding company, Petrofac Limited. This follows the collapse of a year-long financial restructuring effort, triggered by the termination of a major €2.6 billion offshore wind contract with Dutch grid operator TenneT on October 23, 2025. The contract, which accounted for over 80% of Petrofac’s engineering and construction revenue, was canceled due to the company’s failure to meet obligations, including delays and financial instability.The firm employs around 7,300 people globally, but its UK arm—centered in Aberdeen—supports critical North Sea activities for clients like BP and Shell. Petrofac’s decline stems from longstanding issues, including a 2019 Serious Fraud Office investigation resulting in a £77 million fine for bribery, high debt levels (exacerbated by volatile energy prices), and the suspension of its shares in May 2025 after delayed 2024 results. At its 2012 peak, the company was valued at £6 billion; by suspension, it was worth just £20-26 million.Immediate Job Risks in Northern Scotland

• Direct Exposure: The 2,000 Aberdeen-based jobs are at risk if administrators cannot secure a buyer for the UK operations quickly. While trading continues “as normal” for now, uncertainty could lead to redundancies during asset sales or restructuring.
• Supply Chain Ripple Effects: Analysts warn of a “precarious position” for Aberdeen’s energy supply chain, with potential delays in projects and knock-on job losses in related sectors like logistics and maintenance. The Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce described it as a “deeply concerning” blow at a “worrying time” for the North Sea.
• Union and Worker Concerns: Unite the Union has pledged close monitoring, emphasizing no reason for UK job losses under new ownership but highlighting worker anxiety. Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney called it “incredibly concerning” and urged UK government support.

In summary, while immediate operations persist, the administration undeniably endangers these Scottish jobs unless a swift resolution emerges. Updates from administrators and government interventions will be crucial in the coming weeks.

Full response, request sources there, at: https://x.com/i/grok?conversation=1983507263038902640