CABLE seal manufacturer Roxtec has completed a deal to supply a series of drilling rig upgrades at the Able shipyard in Hartlepool.

Graham O’Hare, managing director of the Bury firm, said its multi-cable transit seals are being supplied to protect the jack-up drill rigs from the risks of jet fire, flooding and explosion.

The drilling rigs are operated by global offshore specialist Ensco plc.

He said: “Roxtec is an integral safety component on an offshore rig such as this. By sealing the cables, as they pass through the decks and bulkheads, we offer protection from the risks of blast, fire and salt water ingress.

“Given the nature of what the drilling rig does, it is vital to have the best possible safety equipment. Ultimately we will help protect people working on the drilling rig and the asset itself.”

Mr O’Hare said the UK oil and gas offshore market is an important growth area for the company and it is working on a number of new build projects in the North Sea.

He continued: “Roxtec is continuously improving its products and finding new technical solutions to benefit the offshore and maritime industries. Our H-class rated products are especially effective at sealing cables and pipes to protect from a severe offshore fire.

“The seals are easy to install and maintain and can reduce vibrations and noise which is important for the crew.” Roxtec is working on a number of major oil and gas projects worldwide including the Chevron operated Gorgon Project in Western Australia, the Total operated St Fergus Gas Terminal in Scotland, the Kashagan oil field project off the coast of Kazakhstan, and the Gbaran Ubie integrated oil and gas project in Nigeria. Roxtec was founded in Sweden in 1990 and the company established its UK base at the town’s Waterfold Business Park in 2005.