As the UK starts to depend less on oil and gas, and moves towards renewable energy sources, there has been an increase in decommissioning of the oil rigs as they go out of service in the North Sea. The Dales Voe base in Shetland, owned by Lerwick Port Authority, was in a prime position to take on this new important industry and was redevoped by Arch Henderson to increase its size and load capacity to become one of the strongest quays in the UK.
The Scottish Government has been exploring options for an ultra-deep water quay for future decommissioning works in Shetland and Arch Henderson has been involved as consultants for this project for the last eight years. However, regardless of whether an ultra-deep water quay is commissioned, it is clear that Dales Voe will continue to have an important role in the decommissioning industry. It benefits from relatively close proximity to the oil fields, as well as having a sheltered voe (fjord) to safely accomodate the giant vessels required to deliver the rigs. The quay was specially designed by Arch Henderson to accommodate the weight of the rigs.