Oilfield service group Aker Solutions said yesterday that strong North Sea activity had helped to boost turnover by more than 50%.
The company predicted investment in the region would continue to rise over the next three years, adding to demand for its services.
Aker said a strong global oil and gas market had led to £1.3billion turnover in the second quarter of the year, compared with £841million in the same period in 2011.
Operating profits also jumped, to £113.6million from £46.5million, while pre-tax profits were up to £91.1million from £33.6million.
The company said it was in the market for major opportunities in the North Sea, Brazil, Asia-Pacific and west Africa.
In its quarterly report yesterday, it said: “In the North Sea, new discoveries give increased confidence, and the capital expenditure and operating expenditure markets combined are expected to grow over 12% annually to 2015.”
Garry Michie, managing director of the Aker Solutions UK well-intervention service business, which has its headquarters at Portlethen, said the group’s performance worldwide had been replicated on the UK continental shelf.
Mr Michie’s division is currently known as Aker Qserv, but will adopt the Aker Solutions brand from the beginning of next month.
He added: “Activity levels for our well-service business in the UK North Sea have been high in the second quarter.
“Our customers have increased oil-recovery ratios high on their agenda and we are delighted to support them in their work.”
Mr Michie said the UK well-intervention division had recruited 90 people in the past year. Across its north-east businesses, Aker has taken on around 350 people in the past 12 months, but still wants to recruit a further 500 in and around Aberdeen over the next two years.
The expanded workforce would total 3,200, making Aker one of the area’s biggest employers.