Two north-east businessmen revealed yesterday that their new oil service venture in Africa has landed a £32million contract.
G.O.T. Angola Sales & Procurement Services has won a five-year deal with Esso Exploration (Block 15) Angola.
The firm will supply a huge range of oil field equipment – everything from hand tools to pumps and valves – for the Kizomba development.
The directors of G.O.T. Angola are Terry Henderson and Warren Anderson, who have already had success with sister company G.O.T. in Aberdeen.
Mr Henderson said G.O.T. Angola was the first UK-based supply house to achieve local registration in the African country.
It employs four Angolans at its offices near the capital of Luanda.
Mr Henderson, who spends 20% of his time in Angola, said winning the Esso deal showed the £500,000-plus spent on setting up the African operation had been a worthwhile investment.
He added: “We are delighted to be awarded such a substantial contract, demonstrating the level of support from Esso and their co-venturers.
“After showing our commitment to the region, and all the hard work attaining local registration, it is very satisfying to achieve this award in such a short time.
“We have employed local personnel and a country manager to service the needs of the significant and growing exploration and development activity in the region.
“It is vital that we continue to support and explore the ever-increasing markets in the West African oil field blocks.”
G.O.T. Angola has also been appointed an agent for Cosalt Offshore, Dingbro Industrial and Walker Technical to represent them in Angola.
Mr Henderson said: “We are delighted to have these three agency agreements on board, which strengthens our scope of supply in the region.”
G.O.T. Angola is targeting annual turnover of £10million by 2012.
Last October, G.O.T. in Aberdeen announced two contract wins expected to be worth more than £35million in total over five years.
It won deals with Talisman Energy (UK) and Mobil North Sea to supply oil field equipment.
The Granite City company, which now employs 15 people at its York Street base, was subject of a management buyout supported by Clydesdale Bank in 2008.
The two founders – Terry Henderson and Graeme Olley – sold their stakes in the deal and Mr Anderson stepped up to the role of managing director.