It is not just Norway’s offshore market that is attracting UK firms – Norwegian firms are also looking to the UK.
Ocean Installer, a newly launched subsea installation firm, is looking to open a base in Aberdeen in the second quarter of this year.
The firm, set up by a team of former Subsea 7 staff and backed by Hitecvision, has its sights set on £320million turnover and a stock market listing by 2016.
It is mostly aiming at the subsea, umbilical, riser and flow line (SURF) market initially across the North Sea but hopes to become an international player.
“We do see the North Sea market as one market, as there is a pool of vessels serving both the Norwegian and the UK side of the basin,” he said.
“However, as the UK side is more mature with a larger extent of maintenance and repair work, there are far more contracts being awarded on a short horizon.
“Projects currently being tendered in Norway are typically for execution in 2013 and 2014. The UK market is still tendering for projects to be executed 2012.”
DeepOcean Group, an established subsea installation, maintenance and repair business based in Norway with offices in Aberdeen, agrees the market is busy.
Chief executive Bart Heijermans said: “The subsea market is generally speaking experiencing rapid growth as new discoveries are being developed and subsea technology is further evolving.
“Subsea services and engineering are in demand. Oil and gas infrastructure is ageing and the need for inspection, maintenance, repair and decommissioning services increase.
“This is especially true for the North Sea. It is one of the most mature offshore exploration regions in the world.
“More than 50% of the company’s revenue comes from North Sea operations, which has been a home market since 1993. The company has had offices in Aberdeen for many years.”
DeepOcean Group’s CTC cable lay and trenching division is headquartered out of Darlington, UK.
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