Subsea companies from the north-east make up the bulk of an oil and gas industry trade mission to Latin America this week.
Four Aberdeen firms and two from Aberdeenshire are among the businesses seeking opportunities from developments offshore Brazil.
The group – led by Alistair Birnie, the chief executive of industry body Subsea UK – arrives in Rio de Janeiro today. Mr Birnie said: “About £142billion ($230billion) of capital expenditure is planned for offshore Brazil in the next four to five years, with 40 FPSOs (floating production, storage and offloading vessels) and 28 drill-ships and semi-submersibles required to be built for Brazilian waters. There is a window of opportunity right now which needs to be grasped by UK companies.
“Even in 18 months it will be too late.
“The Brazilian oil and gas market, and Petrobras (Brazil’s state oil company) in particular, already see the UK as a major player and are encouraged by the commitment of British companies to their subsea developments.”
The subsea delegation is part of a five-day energy mission, organised by UK Trade and Investment, seeking to highlight UK energy excellence, knowledge, innovation and expertise.
Much of the group’s focus will be on the UK Brazil Energy Excellence Forum, which takes place in Rio tomorrow.
The Aberdeen firms taking part are Bowtech, Ecosse Subsea Systems, Nautronix and Xodus Group.
They are joined in the South American country by Aubin, of Ellon, and Blackburn-based Forum Energy Technologies.
Mr Birnie said that with global oil and gas exploration moving into water depths of more than 8,000 feet, “game-changing” expertise was needed and Brazil was among countries working hard to fast-track new technology.
He added: “British organisations harbour the innovation, knowledge and expertise necessary to help Brazil deliver its projects.
“Companies with riser technology and expertise, subsea electronics and controls as well as pipeline products and services are in demand.”
Mr Birnie will also preside over a subsea workshop that will feature presentations from key industry figures in the region, including Ricardo Cunha Mattos Portella at Petrobras, Wellstream director Judimar Clevelario, Soil Machine Dynamics vice-president Ian Griffiths and Wood Group Kenny director Otavio Serta.
Participating companies will be put in contact with local energy companies, so they can promote their expertise, knowledge and innovation.
Delegates will also visit the regional bases of Petrobras, Statoil, BG, LLX, Technip and Shell, and attend the UK energy in Brazil 2011 gala dinner.