Rig and well control equipment assurance specialist ModuSpec has secured several projects valued at around $750,000 to support clients with the intake and acceptance of deepwater drillships.

The work covers five rigs: two drillships currently operating in the US Gulf of Mexico and three in the Mediterranean, all being assessed for potential future deployment in West and Southern Africa as well as in the Mediterranean Sea.

For the two Gulf of Mexico drillships, a multi-disciplinary ModuSpec team will assess critical rig equipment — well control, drilling, marine and station keeping systems — to support the operator’s selection process.

One of the Mediterranean drillships has already secured a contract for a multi-well exploration campaign commencing in Q4 2026. ModuSpec has been contracted to deliver a comprehensive intake programme verifying that the equipment is operationally ready for deepwater operations and compliant with client internal standards and international regulations.

Most of the units will be deployed for exploration and development operations. One rig is specifically being assessed for well intervention operations.

Mark Watson, Regional Director at ModuSpec, said: “Clients continue to engage ModuSpec for deepwater campaigns, because of our ability to support the rig intake process from the selection phase through to contract award and final acceptance.

“Every project is customised to meet the client’s specific requirements, combining technical expertise with a practical approach that goes well beyond a traditional rig inspection.”

ModuSpec Ltd is registered in Westhill, Aberdeenshire where its Europe, Africa and Middle East operational team is based alongside the Well Academy training facility at Arnhall Business Park. The company has been in business since 1988 and was sold by Vysus Group to Singapore-headquartered MR Group in March 2024.

Hardies Chartered Surveyors has acquired the Glasgow-based Storrier & Donaldson Quantity Surveying practice in a private deal, strengthening its cost management offering across Glasgow and the west of Scotland.

Under the terms of the acquisition, Storrier & Donaldson owner Robert Currie joins Hardies as Consultant Partner. His team relocates to the Glasgow city centre offices of affiliated chartered surveying firms Shepherd and Hardies. The deal value was not disclosed.

Storrier & Donaldson was founded more than 50 years ago and has built a book of Quantity Surveying and Cost Management work across both public and private sector projects in the UK. Its public sector portfolio includes hospital ward refurbishments, public libraries, golf courses and major capital framework projects. Private sector work has ranged from bespoke family homes to large-scale commercial developments.

Currie’s team brings experience of multi-disciplinary design teams working on conservation, refurbishment and new-build projects, including historical and listed buildings and developments involving multiple funding streams — a set of specialisms that sits alongside Hardies’ existing surveying business rather than duplicating it.

Douglas Smith, Managing Partner at Hardies Chartered Surveyors, said: “This acquisition represents another important milestone in our growth strategy, bringing together two businesses with shared values, complementary expertise and a commitment to delivering exceptional client service.

“By combining our strengths, we will expand the range and scale of projects we can undertake while further enhancing the specialist services we provide to clients across Scotland and the wider UK.”

Robert Currie said: “We are delighted to become part of Hardies and bring with us extensive experience of working within multi-disciplinary design teams on conservation, refurbishment and new-build projects.

“Our expertise spans historical and listed buildings, as well as complex developments involving multiple funding streams. We look forward to continuing to provide robust cost management advice, helping clients and project teams achieve their financial objectives as part of the Hardies business.”

Ian Fergusson, Senior Partner at Shepherd and Hardies, said the deal “is strategically significant for our business and will substantially strengthen our Quantity Surveying and Cost Management offering across Glasgow and the west of Scotland.”

He added: “It reflects our ongoing commitment to growth and investment, while enhancing our ability to support clients with specialist expertise throughout the UK. We are delighted to welcome Robert and his team to Hardies and look forward to building on the strong reputation and relationships they have established over many years.”