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J Murphy & Sons Ltd is proud to announce that we have been selected as National Grid Ventures’ delivery partner to design and build the ‘Main Site Works’ workstream of ‘Capacity 25’ – Grain LNG’s capital expansion and enhancement project.

This expansion will be achieved primarily through the installation of:

• Three Boil Off Gas Compressors along with the installation of a new Local Equipment Room
• Two new Submerged Combustion Vaporisers
• Two new Export Tank Pumps

The Murphy Energy team have been working with the Grain LNG team as part of the tender process since March 2021, participating in weekly clarification and negotiation meetings to allow a successful solution to be developed and agreed collaboratively.

The competitive tender process ran from March to late September before Murphy was appointed Preferred Bidder in October, with Contract Award and Contract Start in November 2021.

The Main Site Works project will take place in parallel to the construction of the additional LNG storage tank project with commissioning in early 2025 and ready to accept and process the additional LNG capacity from mid-2025.

This is a significant opportunity for the Murphy Energy business to support a strategic UK Energy project in the journey towards Net Zero.

Goke Phillips, Grain LNG Project Director said:

“I’m delighted to welcome J Murphy & Sons on board. Capacity 25 is a vital strategic investment – not just for Grain LNG, but for the UK – and the Main Site Works is an essential part of it. I’ve been impressed with the collaborative spirit in which the working partnership has already developed and look forward to the successful joint delivery of the project.”

Jon Downs, Murphy Managing Director, Energy, said:

“This award builds on previous work with Grain LNG and the wider relationship with National Grid. The open and forthright way our joint teams have worked together through the procurement process to optimise and overcome the many challenges this complex project presents is a great demonstration of collaborative working at its best. We are looking forward to working closely with the Grain LNG team in successfully delivering The Capacity 25 project and securing part of the UK’s strategic energy developments.”

Upgrade works on the Lee Road Water Treatment Plant (WTP) will reduce the energy consumption and running costs of the water pumps by more than 10%.

Murphy International has been engaged by Irish Water for the design and construction of the Lee Road Water Treatment Plant (WTP) upgrade in Cork City. The existing WTP provides approximately 70% of Cork City’s total treated water supply. This project will provide much needed upgraded facilities to safeguard the water supply for the city.

To mark the commencement of the project, a sod turning event was held in November 2019, which was attended by the Minister for Local Government Eoghan Murphy, the Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork, Fergal Dennehy and representatives from Irish Water and Cork City Council.

The scope of works includes upgrading the existing WTP from its current capacity of 36,200m³ per day to a new plant with approx. 40,000m³ per day, as well as associated testing, commissioning and operation of the plant for a one-year period.

Other upgrades will include new filter units, sedimentation tanks, a new raw water pumping station, water reservoir, treated water pumping station, boundary fencing and an administration building.

The entire site level will be raised by two metres for flood protection to avoid a reoccurrence of the November 2009 flood when the plant was badly damaged.

The water supply will be maintained throughout construction, which is due to be completed in late 2021. It is expected the upgrade will also make the plant more energy efficient as it is one of the biggest energy consumers in Cork.

The upgraded and modernised plant will provide a more safe and secure water supply for the future of Cork City.

SMJV is one of six contractors set to help build this major and important infrastructure project for client Kinder Morgan Canada Limited, after signing a memorandum of understanding. 

Mick Fitzpatrick, president of SMJV, said: “This is brilliant news for our joint venture and the indigenous and local people we will be employing to work on this project. We have vast experience in this field and have already been working on pipelines across Canada, so we understand how important this expansion is for the country. The new pipeline will benefit people across Canada and we look forward to working on this important project.” 

Work is expected to begin later this month on the $7.4bn expansion project – subject to final contract approvals – with the 980-kilometre-long system to transport crude oil stretching from Edmonton in Alberta to Burnaby in British Columbia (B.C.). The pipeline and associated terminal expansions are expected to be in service by the end of 2019, with the work distributed among several sections, known as spreads, along the route. 

SMJV will be responsible for ‘Spread 5A’, a section of the pipeline stretching 185km from Black Pines to south of Merritt, B.C. 

Murphy’s COO, John B. Murphy, said: “We have exciting times ahead and this win is another sign that our experienced and talented teams are central to reaching the company’s ambitious goals. This scheme is a great achievement for the Surerus Murphy Joint Venture and we look forward to working with the Trans Mountain team on this project. This project is another positive step towards achieving the vision of our business, which is to improve people’s lives by delivering world-class infrastructure.” 

SMJV is currently building pipeline projects in north-east B.C. and in Alberta. 

Ian Anderson, president of Kinder Morgan Canada Limited, said: “Getting the construction contractors on board represents a significant milestone for Trans Mountain and demonstrates our commitment to delivering the project in a timely, cost-effective manner. We’re pleased with the calibre and experience of the contractors. Each contractor was chosen for its expertise in delivering quality work, and the individual needs and complexities of each portion of the project.” 

Murphy has been included on a brand new construction framework, launched by Be First, the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham’s pioneering new regeneration company, which includes development of twenty-nine new affordable homes in the borough.

Our Construction & Property division was assessed on the prices and responses that we provided for a stage one tender submission, of a two-stage design and build procurement for a live project (Sacred Heart Convent). In an extremely competitive tender process, we were ranked first in the framework selection process and therefore will be appointed to develop and construct this project.

The project consists of converting the existing Sacred Heart convent into nine flats and the building of 20 new two-storey cottages. We will also demolish a single-storey wing and other small brick buildings. The overall site is 0.4 hectares and work will start in May 2019.

There are plans to build more affordable housing in the borough. This project represents the start of a rewarding relationship for J. Murphy & Sons Ltd., Be First and the local community in Barking and Dagenham.

The client was impressed with our fit-to-start pre-construction programme, open and honest approach during the bid process and our multi-skilled offering of in-house capabilities. This includes our specialist piling and ground engineering, Murphy plant, hard landscaping, street infrastructure, and our one–stop solution, which connects gas, power, water and telecommunications.

Iain Ferguson, Commercial Director at Be First, said: “It was an exhaustive selection process, but we’re delighted to welcome Murphy to the framework and look forward to working with them to accelerate development in Barking and Dagenham.”

Who is the client?

Be First is a company wholly owned by Barking and Dagenham council. Their mission is to accelerate regeneration in the borough, so that no one is left behind. Their aim is to ensure that 50,000 new homes are built, and 20,000 new jobs created in the next 20 years. This complements the Murphy vision to improve life by delivering world-class infrastructure.  

John is the company’s current chief operating officer, responsible for leading the group’s operations in the UK and abroad. Current CEO Steve Hollingshead will step down at the end of the year (December 2017) and take up a role as non-executive director on the company’s board. 

Alastair Kerr, Murphy’s chairman, said: “It is with great pleasure that we welcome John’s step up into the role of CEO. He takes over the reins at an exciting time for Murphy, where we have a clear long-term plan for where we are going and what we want to deliver. As well as an understanding of the company’s history, John has experience and knowledge of Murphy’s people and values, which will be instrumental for us as we go forward and deliver our growth plan.” 

John said: “Murphy is well-known in the construction industry and I want us to continue to grow and thrive, ensuring that we continue to play a vital role in delivering world-class infrastructure. To be at the helm of a company that is leading the way in innovation and engineering – a company my grandfather began more than 60 years ago – is a real honour, and I can’t wait to get started.” 

John joined the business in 2003 as a civil engineer and has developed a broad range of experience across the company’s key sectors capabilities and notable projects such the London power tunnels for the Olympic Park in 2012 as well as the south Wales expansion pipeline for National Grid. Prior to taking on the COO role, John successfully lead Murphy’s business across the north of England as managing director and has represented the company on a number of joint venture boards both in the UK and internationally. 

“I’d like to thank Steve for his hard work and leadership over the past few years, and I’m pleased he’s staying with us in a non-executive role,” added Alastair.  

Steve said: “It’s been an amazing few years with lots of challenges. Murphy is a company I feel really passionate about and has an excellent legacy to do great things in the sector. I now feel it’s the right time, as we start business planning for the next three years, to hand over the reins to John.” 

Peter Anderson, who joined Murphy from Balfour Beatty in January as managing director for its south business, will become the company’s chief operating officer.