22 May 2007 - British Nuclear Group has awarded the ACKtiv Nuclear Joint Venture (JV) - consisting of Aker Kvaerner, Atkins and Carillion - a further contract to support decommissioning at the First Generation Magnox Storage Pond, located at the Sellafield nuclear licensed site in the UK.  ACKtiv Nuclear is to provide the systems for the removal of radioactive sludge and solid inventory from the facility for subsequent safe treatment and storage.

"BNG Sellafield Limited Project manager, Stewart Sikora, commented, "ACKtiv Nuclear has built a reputation for safe and effective delivery and we are looking forward to working with them on one of the most challenging aspects of the Sellafield clean up."

Project scope covers the full project lifecycle from concept through design, development, procurement, installation and commissioning through to operational support. The initial phase of the project is scheduled to run until March 2012 and this will be followed by a period of operational support, with Aker Kvaerner receiving a 40 per cent share of the JV's GBP 21 million contract value. The project will contribute significantly to the post operational clean out of the First Generation Magnox Storage Ponds, and the ultimate safe decommissioning and site remediation of this historic spent fuel storage facility.

"Dave Ley, President of Aker Kvaerner Engineering Services, added, "It is widely recognised that the Retrievals project represents a considerable technical and logistical challenge requiring a very strong and experienced team.  ACKtiv Nuclear is therefore especially pleased that British Nuclear Group has entrusted it with this important contract, which further extends a successful relationship built up over several years' working on the First Generation Magnox Storage Pond."

ACKtiv Nuclear has delivered over GBP 40 million of similar decommissioning projects over the last three years. This is the second project at the First Generation Magnox Storage Pond to be awarded to the JV in the last three months. It follows the recent award of the project to provide a new operational Export facility (announced 22 February 2007).

"ACKtiv Nuclear's Health and Safety performance was recently acknowledged by RoSPA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents), who have announced that the ACKtiv Nuclear team have won the RoSPA Gold Award for Occupational Health and Safety in 2007. David Rawlins, RoSPA Awards Manager, said "ACKtiv Nuclear have demonstrated how seriously they take health and safety management and are a fine example to many other companies. We would like to see more organisations following their lead."

The ACKtiv Nuclear joint venture brings together three of the most well respected engineering, construction and full asset lifecycle service organisations in the Nuclear sector, Aker Kvaerner, Atkins and Carillion. ACKtiv Nuclear is able to offer an unbroken asset lifecycle liability chain, from conceptual design through detailed engineering, construction, installation, commissioning, handover to the operating unit and post-handover operations support.

ENDS

 

 

Media:
Torbjørn S. Andersen, SVP Group Communications, Aker Kvaerner. Tel: +47 67 51 30 36, Mob: +47 928 85 542

Vanessa Mourant, Communications Manager - E&C Europe, Aker Kvaerner, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 207 339 1064 Mob: +44 (0)7771 806566

Sarah Weyell, Aker Kvaerner, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1642 343217

 

Investor relations:
Lasse Torkildsen, VP Investor Relations, Aker Kvaerner. Tel: +47 67 51 30 39

 

Suppliers:
For further information about sourcing and potential subcontracts for this project, please contact Jeff Clark, Manager of Supply Management, on Tel: +44 (0)1642 331714

 

 

AKER KVÆRNER ASA, through its subsidiaries and affiliates ("Aker Kvaerner"), is a leading global provider of engineering and construction services, technology products and integrated solutions. The business within Aker Kvaerner comprises several industries, including Oil & Gas, Refining & Chemicals, Mining & Metals and Power Generation. The Aker Kvaerner group is organised in a number of separate legal entities. Aker Kvaerner is used as the common brand/trademark for most of these entities.

The parent company in the group is Aker Kværner ASA. Aker Kvaerner has aggregated annual revenues of approximately NOK 50 billion and employs approximately 23 000 people in about 30 countries.

Aker Kvaerner is part of Aker (www.akerasa.com), a group of premier companies with a focus on energy, maritime and marine-resources industries. The Aker companies share a common set of values and long traditions of industrial innovation. As an industrial owner with a 40.1 percent holding in Aker Kvaerner, Aker ASA takes an active role in the development of its holdings.

 

British Nuclear Group is a specialist site management and nuclear clean-up business. Part of the BNFL Group, our strategy and focus is clear - to deliver accelerated nuclear clean-up programmes, safely and cost-effectively for our customers in the UK and overseas. Our company is founded on a proud track record of applying in-depth experience to complex nuclear challenges. The end result will be a safe environment, both now and for future generations.

This press release may include forward-looking information or statements and is subject to our disclaimer, see our web-pages www.akerkvaerner.com