Nigg yard in Easter Ross to refit first in years

Nigg built offshore platforms at the height of the North Sea oil boom

An oil rig is to be refurbished at the Nigg fabrication yard in Easter Ross for the first time in nine years.

The site, which was built on the Cromarty Firth in the 1970s, is being brought back into use by Global Energy Group, who took it over last October.

Offshore platforms were constructed and refitted at Nigg at the height of the North Sea oil and gas boom, but it has stood largely empty since 2002.

Transocean's GSF Galaxy I has arrived for a revamp involving 250 workers.

It will take about three months to refit the harsh environment deep water jack up rig.

Global Energy purchased Nigg from KBR and the Wakelyn Trust for an undisclosed fee after the yard was offered for sale in 2005.

The firm intends to develop the 238-acre (96.14 hectares) site as a service hub for the energy industry, and expects to employ 2,000 people by 2015.