In 2008, Shepherd Offshore acquired the site of the former Neptune shipyard and associated additional land.
Following the acquisition of Neptune Energy Park, Shepherd Offshore started a multi-phased remediation of the entire riverside site in in partnership with Elliott Associates and O’Briens. This enabled the fast-track development of bespoke specialist manufacturing units on the park.
The work undertaken included the demolition and asbestos removal of redundant structures, the remediation of the land with the removal of relic underground structures, the closure and sealing of three dry docks, the construction of a new quay wall, heavy load out pads and heavy industry floor slabs. All resulting material that exceeded 75,000m³ was crushed and reused as crane pads, floor slab sub-bases and roads.
Additionally, the river Tyne was dredged, removing 30,000m³ of silt using a specialist dredging barge and environmental bucket. Once removed from the river, the silt was treated using a specially designed lime stabilisation process, so that it could be diverted from landfill and used to backfill the three dry docks.
Phase 1 | Site Remediation at Neptune Energy Park | Feb 2009 – March 2010
- Specialist demolition and removal of existing structures and concrete hard standings
- Removal and relocation of existing mains services and drainage infrastructure
- Earthworks remodelling of the Phase 1 site of circa 13 acres, utilising site won material
- Extensive repairs and refurbishment of the Neptune Quay
Phase 1 | Infrastructure at Neptune Energy Park | Feb 2010 – Aug 2010
- Construction of main estate roads and street lighting
- Construction of main surface water drainage network for the entire Phase 1 site
- Completion of main services for the Phase 1 site
Phase 1 | Manufacturing Facility occupied by GE-Baker Hughes at Neptune Energy Park | March 2010 – Oct 2010
This phase saw the construction of a new, 52,423ft² specialist high bay manufacturing facility with additional 7,000ft² of bespoke office accommodation.
Occupied by the GE-Baker Hughes European Research and Development Centre, the building achieved a BREEAM Very Good rating and includes the operator’s specifications for specialist ventilation, lighting and life safety systems.
Phase 2A Site Remediation at Neptune Energy Park | Apr 2010-Dec 2011
- Specialist demolition and removal of existing concrete slipways.
- Permanent closure of existing slipways to provide extended quay frontage.
- Infilling of existing slipways to provide re-engineered development platform, utilising site won material.
- Removal and relocation of existing mains services and drainage infrastructure
- Earthworks remodelling of the Phase 2A site of circa 6.5 hectares (16 acres) to provide a suitable development platform for a large specialist manufacturing building and extended quay services area.
Phase 2A | QSA and Heavy Load Pad at Neptune Energy Park | Nov 2010-April 2011
- Construction of quay services area with allowable load of 10t/m²
- Refurbishment of Phase 2 Neptune Quay area to allow an allowable load of 5t/m²
- Construction of heavy load pad with a capability of lifting 700 tonnes and with an allowable blanket load of 10t/m² with maximum peak track pressure of 61.4t/m ²
- Construction of main surface water drainage network for the entire Phase 2A site
- Completion of main services for the Phase 2A site
Phase 2A | Specialist Rope Manufacturing Facility for Bridon-Bekaert at Neptune Energy Park | June 2011 – May 2012
This phase saw the construction of a new 86,000ft² specialist high bay rope manufacturing facility, with additional 2,500ft² of bespoke office accommodation.
The building is occupied by Bridon-Bekaert The Ropes Group, a world-class ropes and advanced cord manufacturer supplying the Subsea, Oil and Gas, and Energy markets. The building was designed to accommodate significant process machinery, including the largest rope-winding machine in the world.
In addition, the facility includes a heavy load rail track system, which provides direct access to the quay edge and facilitates reel movements direct to vessels.
Phase 2B | Site Remediation at Neptune Energy Park | Nov 2011 – Dec 2013
- Filling of existing dry docks 1-3, dry dock gates sealed and construction of full height concrete wall
- Refurbishment of existing dry dock 4
- Earthworks remodelling of the Phase 2B site of circa 8 hectares (20 acres)
Phase 2A | Specialist Manufacturing Facility for Royal IHC at Neptune Energy Park | September 2013 – April 2014
This phase saw the construction of a new 28,000ft² specialist manufacturing facility, with additional 7,000ft ² of bespoke office accommodation for IHC-FHP, a world-leading manufacturer supplying electro-hydraulic systems to the Subsea, Oil and Gas, and Energy markets.
Preparation of remainder of Phase 1 Site to accommodate NEP Office Building and Quay Services Area.
Phase 2A | Neptune Energy Park Office and Management Office QSA at Neptune Energy Park
This phase saw the construction of a new 5,000ft ² two-storey office facility with additional of ancillary service accommodation.
This building is occupied by Shepherd Offshore Services Ltd who provide a full range of quay management services to NEP occupiers and other partners in the Subsea, Oil and Gas, and Energy markets.
Phase 2B Upper | Specialist Fabrication Facility for Newcastle University at Neptune Energy Park | September 2014-March 2015
This phase saw the construction of a new 19,500ft ² specialist fabrication facility with additional 500ft² of bespoke office accommodation.
The infrastructure enabled the development of the remainder of the Phase 2B Site to accommodate a potential new specialist Hyperbaric Testing facility for Newcastle University.
Phase 2B Upper | Specialist Hyperbaric Testing Facility for Newcastle University at Neptune Energy Park | September 2014 – March 2015
This phase saw the construction of a new 4,500ft ² specialist high bay testing facility with additional 5,000ft ² of bespoke office accommodation.
This building accommodated a vertically orientated high-pressure test vessel, which is largely subterranean.
Occupied by Newcastle University, the building provides world-leading high-pressure testing facilities for the subsea, oil and gas, and energy companies in partnership with local companies.
Phase 2B Upper | Specialist Fabrication Facility and European HQ Offices for JDR Cable Systems Ltd | September 2014 – March 2015
This phase saw the construction of a new 19,500ft² specialist fabrication facility, with additional 6,500ft² of bespoke office accommodation.
The building’s occupants are JDR Cable Systems Ltd, manufacturers of electrical cable solutions in the subsea, oil and gas, and energy markets.
The preparation of remainder of Phase 2B Site to accommodate potential new specialist training facility for JDR Cables.
Phase 2B Lower | Neptune Deep Water Test Tank at Neptune Energy Park | October 2017 – Ongoing
- Construction of quay services area of circa 14,000m² with an allowable load of 10t/m²
- Refurbishment of Engine Works Quay area to allow an allowable load of 10t/m²
- Construction of heavy load area with a capability of lifting 700 tonnes and with an allowable blanket load of 10t/m²
- Construction of main surface water drainage network for the entire Phase 2B site
- Completion of main services for the Phase 2B site
- Construction of specialist deep-water test tank facility to provide subsea-testing facilities.
Current Neptune Energy Park Occupiers
To date, Shepherd Offshore Group has delivered approximately 250,000ft² of specialist manufacturing and commercial office space at Neptune Energy Park.
Our current occupiers includes:
- Shepherd Offshore Limited
- Bridon-Bekaert The Ropes Group
- TechnipFMC Umbilicals
- Baker Hughes GE
- Royal IHC
- Newcastle University
- JDR Cable Systems
Acknowledgements
The success of this remediation is a result of the hard work and efficient teamwork of all parties involved. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the partners, stakeholders and local authorities for breathing life in to a formerly redundant shipyard and restoring its historical significance, as well as creating work opportunities for the people of Newcastle upon Tyne.
