Safehouse Habitats Middle East Enters New Chapter through Acquisition by Euro Mechanical

August 31, 2023

Abu Dhabi, UAE – Safehouse Habitats Middle East Oil Well and Gas Equipment Installation LLC (“Safehouse Middle East”) is pleased to announce its acquisition by Euro Mechanical & Electrical Contracting Company L.L.C (“Euro Mechanical”), marking a significant milestone in its journey to enhance and expand its operations within the oil and gas industry. This strategic move will pave the way for synergistic growth and a strengthened market presence.

Safehouse Middle East has been a prominent player in providing advanced habitat solutions for the oil and gas sector across the Middle East since 2014. The acquisition by Euro Mechanical, a leading integrated solutions provider in the region, is set to bring a wealth of opportunities for both companies. With a shared commitment to innovation, safety, and excellence, the collaboration is expected to yield remarkable results.

One of the highlights of this transition is the introduction of Steve Martin as the new Business Unit Manager for the habitat side of Euro Mechanical’s business. Steve comes with a wealth of experience in the oil and gas industry and has a proven track record in driving operational efficiency and excellence. He expressed his enthusiasm for the new role, stating, “I am thrilled to be leading the habitat division of Euro Mechanical to continue the growth of Safehouse Middle East. Our focus will remain on providing top-notch engineered solutions while exploring new avenues for growth.”

Steve further expressed his optimism about the acquisition, saying, “We are thrilled to join the Euro Mechanical family. This move aligns with our strategic vision of expanding our service portfolio and strengthening our market presence. We are confident in our ability to drive growth and innovation in the habitat sector.”

The partnership between Safehouse Middle East and Euro Mechanical was founded on the shared values of safety, quality, and innovation. Both companies have built their reputations on a deep understanding of the industry’s intricacies and a dedication to meeting and exceeding client expectations.

Euro Mechanical has long been recognized for its comprehensive offerings across various aspects of the oil and gas sector, including engineering, procurement, construction, and maintenance services. The addition of Safehouse Middle East’s expertise will further bolster Euro Mechanical’s capabilities, allowing them to provide more comprehensive and integrated solutions to their clients.

As Safehouse Middle East embarks on this new chapter, they remain committed to delivering top-tier habitat solutions while leveraging Euro Mechanical’s extensive resources and network. Clients and partners of both companies can expect a seamless transition, with the joint team working diligently to ensure uninterrupted services and a continued focus on excellence.

The acquisition marks a turning point for both Safehouse Middle East and Euro Mechanical, underscoring their shared commitment to driving progress within the oil and gas industry. As these two industry leaders unite their strengths, the future holds great promise for groundbreaking advancements and enhanced customer experiences.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Sunaina Sharaf

Marketing Specialist, Euro Mechanical

Email: Sunaina.sharaf@euromechanical.com

T  +971 (02) 678 1133 Ext 232

Introduction

In the heart of the offshore oil and gas industry, where challenges meet innovation, SAFEHOUSE Habitats stands as a beacon of safety and progress. The North Sea, with its unpredictable nature, demands solutions that go beyond the ordinary to ensure the well-being of our workforce. Our upcoming participation in Offshore Europe allows us to showcase our commitment to redefining safety standards and reshaping the offshore energy sector.

Safehouse Habitats Attending Offshore Europe

Offshore Europe is a prestigious event, attended by high-level industry experts from around the Globe. This year, the team will be attending the event to discuss our trailblazing approach to safety in the demanding offshore environment.

Safety Amidst Adversity

The North Sea’s harsh elements pose unyielding challenges to oil and gas operations. At SAFEHOUSE Habitats, we recognize the dire need for resilient safety measures that can safeguard your workforce. Our innovation revolves around creating safe areas amidst hazardous environments.

Our Solution: The Birth of Safe Zones

Safehouse’s core innovation lies in our pressurized habitats, also referred to as ‘hot work habitats.’ These habitats serve as controlled environments within otherwise potentially hazardous offshore platforms. Fusing advanced engineering with pressure differentials, and gas detection, we have crafted an environment that shields workers during maintenance, repairs, and inspections – a sanctuary amidst the storm.

Embracing the Benefits

1. Elevated Safety: Safety is paramount, and our technology reflects this unwavering commitment. By introducing controlled environments, we drastically mitigate the risk of accidents, injuries, and exposure to potential hazards.
2. Efficiency Amplified: Traditional offshore tasks often grapple with complexity and time consumption. Safehouse Habitats’ technology streamlines these processes, ensuring that work progresses efficiently without compromising safety.
3. Environmental Stewardship: Beyond workforce safety, our technology contributes to environmental well-being. By minimizing the need for personnel to operate in hazardous conditions, we are helping reduce potential environmental incidents.

Empowering the North Sea Oil and Gas Industry

The North Sea remains an anchor in global oil and gas production. It demands solutions that resonate with its unique challenges. SAFEHOUSE Habitats’ innovation stands as a pivotal force in this dynamic industry, allowing operations to continue while prioritizing worker safety. By introducing a safer and more efficient avenue for maintenance, repairs, and inspections, we are nurturing the sustainability and vitality of the North Sea oil and gas sector.

Conclusion

Our presence at Offshore Europe underscores our dedication to reshaping safety paradigms in offshore oil and gas. Safehouse’s pioneering technology serves as a testament to our commitment to safeguarding workers and optimizing operations. As the industry evolves, it’s innovations like ours that will not only ensure the welfare of our workforce but also lay the foundation for a resilient and prosperous future for offshore operations.

To meet with the Safehouse team at Offshore Europe in Aberdeen from 5th to 8th September, email info@2j3.959.myftpupload.com, or call +44 (0)1382 814 122.

Starn Group members Dynamic Air Shelters and SAFEHOUSE Habitats have teamed up to highlight its innovative range of safety solutions to the US Downstream market.

BusinessWire stated that North America was the largest region in the oil downstream activities market in 2021, with significant growth predicted over the coming year. The global oil downstream market is expected to grow from US$2,54 trillion in 2021 to $2.88 trillion in 2022, it is this predicted growth that has led Starn Group to focus its efforts in supporting the downstream market in the USA.

As part of its focus on the Downstream market in the USA, Starn Group will be presenting its product offering at Reuters Downstream USA 2022. Reuters Events: Downstream USA 2022 (June 8-9, Houston) unites leading innovators and decision makers as they identify, discuss, and map out future OPEX & CAPEX success across four dedicated conference tracks covering the full value chain – Future of Downstream Plenary, Reliability & Maintenance, Shutdown & Turnarounds and Engineering & Construction.

To support Starn’s focus on the US market, Safehouse has made significant updates to its Pressurized Welding Enclosure (PWE) control system, ensuring full compliance with regional industry guidelines. Safehouse will be showcasing its updated AEx and NEC 500 compliant equipment which is also rated for use in class 1 zone 2 and class 1 div 2 locations, at Downstream 2022. Additionally, Safehouse’s PWE’s now also run on 110v Power, mitigating the need for alterations on site or the need for additional equipment, ensuring the equipment is “plug and play” for any asset.

Newly appointed Starn Group Sales Director, Robert Irvine stated, “After observing demand from the Downstream sector in North America, we decided that now was the right time to update our equipment to ensure we can effectively meet the niche customer requirements in the region. The audience Downstream 2022 brings together makes this the perfect event for our product launch.”

Starn Group, whose products and services improve productivity whilst safeguarding people and the planet from the impact of hazardous activities within a wide range of industries, is comprised of SAFEHOUSE Habitats and Dynamic Air Shelters. Safehouse’s engineered protection offering includes a range of Pressurized Welding Enclosures (PWEs) which control environments to achieve safe working conditions. Safehouse’s welding habitats enable hot work, such as welding or grinding, to be conducted in facilities whilst operational and with the associated risk of flammable hydrocarbon gases in circulation – thus maintaining production and minimizing the cost implications associated with shutdowns. Dynamic Air Shelters provide the most versatile, safest, and most reliable temporary structure on the market. A highly specialized blast-resistant air shelter from Dynamic Air Shelters protects your workforce and delivers greater value than conventional alternatives. Engineered with fail-safe and safe-fail features, Dynamic Air Shelters provide optimum protection and security in blast zone environments and can stand up to shock loads as high as 11.5 psi for a duration of more than 66 ms. Dynamic’s blast-resistant air shelters qualify for and are widely used in Zone 1 and 2 locations for refineries and chemical plants. Dynamic’s shelters are suitable for API RP 756 -recommended guidelines.

For more information, contact Starn Group Marketing & Communications manager, Charlie Hadden on +44 (0)1382 814 122 or email charlie.hadden@starngroup.com.

Coronavirus (COVID19): STARN GROUP GLOBAL RESPONSE

These are unprecedented times and the extent of the global impact of the COVID-19 virus is still developing. At this time the leadership of Starn would like to assure our employees and customers that everyone’s health and safety is our highest priority and concern.

We continue to monitor the situation daily and to follow the advice of the relevant National Health authorities. Given the very dynamic situation, we are in regular contact with our suppliers and key customers.

As well as refocusing our energy on the task of slowing the virus’s spread, at each of Starns operating sites and offices, we are ensuring business continuity is in place to sustain our operations and supply chains so that we can continue to provide vital services to all our customers and partners around the world.

To reduce the risk of exposure we have taken a group approach to promote:

• Safe Place
• Safe Person
• Safe information

As part of a key industry we have taken dramatic measures to ensure people are kept safe by implementing control measures so that the risk of transmission is reduced to as low as is reasonably practicable such as:

• Ensuring people who can effectively carry out their role at home are supported to do so.
• Encourage the use of alternative means of electronic communication.
• Implemented a two-shift system to reduce the number of employees on sites.
• Ensuring that social distancing is adhered to in the workplace.
• Increased cleaning of high traffic areas and individual work areas.
• Provided training and accurate information for all employees.

We will continue to focus on keeping people within our organisation safe and healthy. We encourage everyone to support one another during this challenging time.

Safehouse increases capacity in Qatar with the appointment of a local project delivery lead.

Safehouse, a member of the Starn Group is delighted to announce the appointment of a highly skilled, in-country project lead based in Qatar.

 Safehouse’s newest recruit sees the expansion of our workforce in Qatar and as such, increased capacity and capability to further strengthen our position in the region.

In partnership with DOPET, an increased workforce bolsters our commitment to deliver a consistent service to the highest standard, no matter where you are in the world. Safehouse strives to achieve this by maximising on DOPET’s local knowledge and experience.

DOPET was established in 1981 to cater to the oilfield services and maintenance activities in the State of Qatar. DOPET provides services to most of the major regional onshore and offshore operators in the oil & gas, petrochemical and utilities industries, and has grown into one of the largest engineering and construction services companies in Qatar.

Founded in 2001 in Scotland, Safehouse continues to evolve and today delivers products and services to over 50 countries globally, with strong presence from Australia to the Americas. Safehouse’s offering includes a range of hot work pressurised welding habitats which control environments to achieve safe working conditions. For example, pressurised habitats enable hot work, such as welding or grinding, to be undertaken on an oil or gas facility whilst it is operational and with the associated risk of flammable hydrocarbon gases in circulation – thus maintaining production and minimising the cost implications associated with shutdowns.

Safehouse ensures the world’s toughest environments are safer, more productive and more economic.

For further information relating to Safehouse, or any member of the Starn Group, please contact info@starngroup.com.

Safehouse ushers in a new era of conducting hot work in hazardous areas with the introduction of our new ATEX, IECEx and NORSOK certified habitat system.

 As world leaders in the provision of technology-led products and services engineered to protect people working in hazardous environments, Starn Group member, Safehouse Habitats, is delighted to announce the introduction of its new SAFEHOUSE Habitat System.

As the creator of the habitat industry with over 18 years’ experience, Safehouse sought to streamline and improve upon its current offering, with client feedback and industry intel at the heart of its design.

The SAFEHOUSE Habitat System (patent pending) is the successor to our Gas Sensing Module (GSM) and ancillary equipment. It has been designed from the ground up and adds significant improvements to the functionality, aesthetics and safety performance to the habitat system. Moreover, its modular design ensures that a solution can be found for even the most demanding and niche applications.

State of the art hardware and bespoke software help to automate the habitat operation process, ensuring simplicity is the overriding feature. SIL 2 capable equipment and circuits safeguard plant, machinery and the safety and wellbeing of the work force by providing a failsafe backbone to the system.

Comprising three main modules; The Safety Control Unit (SCU), Gas Detection Unit (GDU) and Air Shut-off Unit (ASU), the system is lightweight, highly portable and easy to manoeuvre into areas with limited space, offering the ultimate flexibility to its users.

Optional Power Distribution Units (PDU’s) can be connected to the control system via a single low voltage (24Vdc) cable to allow equipment with unsuitable Equipment Protection Levels (EPL’s) for the hazardous site to be utilised safely within the confines of the habitat. If a hazardous event arises, the SCU reduces the risk to plant, machinery and personnel by immediately shutting off any equipment powered by the PDU, safeguarding the lives of those in the vicinity.

The Starn Group is committed to saving lives and protecting our planet from the impact of hazardous activities. Our dynamic and reliable teams ensure our solution-driven approach is always client-centric. Working together, we maximise productivity with diversified specialised services focused on safely managing hazardous environments.

The Starn Group is an international market leader offering trusted end-to-end solutions that effectively manage hazardous environments across a production asset’s lifecycle.  Our solutions include; pressurised SAFEHOUSE habitats, atmospheric controls, H₂S safety services and related breathing apparatus, bespoke Ex equipment sales and rental and various inspection and testing services.

We aim to deliver a global service from a local footprint and benefit from a world-wide network of agents and partners.

For further information relating to the Starn Group, or our new control system, please contact Charlie Hadden, Marketing Manager at charlie.hadden@starngroup.com or +44(0) 2039 842 941.

Safehouse’s hazardous area electrical equipment supplier Safe-Ex gains new IECEx certification for its specialised Air Conditioning Unit

Safe-Ex, a member of the Starn Group, provides design and manufacture services of specialised electrical equipment, primarily to Safehouse, for use in hazardous areas. Safe-Ex sought re-certification of its Air-Conditioning Unit (ACU) to facilitate the penetration of it’s electrical equipment into new markets.

Historically, ATEX certification meant that the equipment could be utilised only in markets where this was the recognised and accepted directive. By reviewing and improving the safety performance of the ACU, Safe-Ex was able to re-certify the equipment to both ATEX and IECEx schemes, allowing the equipment to be marketed throughout regions where we were not previously compliant.

The ATEX/IECEx ACU is specially designed for hot climates and tough working areas. When combined with our certified habitats, a cool work environment can be created to improve operational efficiency. By keeping workers comfortable, you can protect their health and productivity.

The Safe-Ex air conditioning unit maximises cooling efficiency and controls humidity by providing 25Kw of cooling capacity and can be used as a backup while fixed AC systems are serviced.

For further information on the Starn Group and its subsidiaries– contact Charlie Hadden on charlie.hadden@starngroup.com or +44 (0)2039 842 941.