Aberdeen-based rig-cooling technology business Optima is to open a new base near Stavanger after making a multimillion-pound investment in new equipment to be used in the Barents Sea.
The move comes after Optima’s acquisition by US-listed firm Tetra, valued at more than £40million, whose presence in Norway had helped with its step into the country.
As part of the move, Tetra and Optima have jointly appointed a new country manager, Espen Sorbo, and also made Optima operations director Colin Black managing director of Optima. Mr Sorbo previously worked with PES, WellDynamics and Halliburton.
Mr Black said: “New technology has been developed specifically for the Norwegian market, and this is underpinned by the delivery of several million pounds of new Norsok cold-climate equipment destined for potential Barents Sea operations.
“This facility is key to supporting our clients by providing improved response time and service quality on a local level.”
The firm provides heat protection for offshore installations undertaking well-test flaring operations.
The new base, which the firm hopes to move into later this year, will include electromechanical service capability, storage, office space and fabrication bays.
In March, Optima was said to employ more than 80 people and turn over nearly £15million annually.