McDermott awarded master services agreement for UK SAF projects

McDermott International Ltd. announced Nov. 20 that it has been awarded a master services agreement (MSA) by Willis Sustainable Fuels for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) facilities in the U.K.

Under the scope of the agreement, McDermott will perform early engineering, procurement and construction (EPC)-related services for the facilities.

The initial phase of the agreement is the early engineering of a planned SAF facility in Teesside with capacity of producing 50,000 liters (more than 13,200 gallons) per day of SAF.

The project is supported by the U.K. government’s Advanced Fuels Fund.

The intent is for the parties to enter a sole-source negotiation of the EPC scope in 2025.

Willis Sustainable Fuels intends to deploy technology that produces next-generation SAF, either biogas-to-liquid (BtL) or power-to-liquid (PtL), depending on the feedstock.

“Our partnership with McDermott on one of the U.K.’s most advanced sustainable aviation fuel projects represents a key milestone in our ongoing efforts to lead the way in aviation decarbonization,” said Amy Ruddock, an executive with Willis Lease Finance Corp.

“This collaboration underscores our commitment to working with industry leaders who share our vision for a cleaner, more sustainable future,” Ruddock said.

McDermott will be supported by its construction partner, Bilfinger U.K.

Together, they will maximize in-house know-how, self-perform delivery and the U.K. supply chain.

“This agreement is testament to McDermott’s expertise in integrating design, fabrication and installation, and our capabilities across low-carbon solutions,” said Rob Shaul, McDermott’s senior vice president of the company’s low-carbon solutions business.

“We are well positioned to offer Willis Sustainable Fuels a self-perform EPC model via our strategic relationship with Bilfinger U.K., which is expected to further reduce risk and drive cost optimizations,” Shaul added.

The work will be led from McDermott’s office in London, with support from its Gurugram, India, office, and Bilfinger’s office in Warrington, U.K.