Energy North with Scottish Development International (SDI) and UK Trade and Investment is leading a joint trade mission to Norway this spring.
From March 12-15, the organisations will accompany 10 Highland business leaders to Oslo and Stavanger to help create new international partnerships between Scotland and Norway and to give interested parties the opportunity to obtain firsthand experience in establishing relations and working with Norwegian firms.
Continuing support would then be provided by experienced staff from SDI, Energy North and UKTI Oslo.
Ian Couper, chief executive of Energy North, said: “The Norwegian market holds long-term potential for Scottish companies.
“Until recently, the development of Norway’s oil and gas industry has been associated with the major fields developed in the 1980s and early 1990s.
“With redevelopment, enhanced oil recovery and satellite development activities or plans, these fields are still viable options.
“In addition, new deep-water field developments and large unexplored areas in deep and northern waters around the Northern Norwegian and Barents Seas are proving to be an attraction for Norwegian and overseas companies.”
From its Highlands base at Evanton, Ross-shire, international welding firm Serimax has already made a good foothold in the Norwegian market but sees more opportunity.
Part of the global Vallourec group, it specialises in welding projects for the offshore, landline and subsea structures market, with 150 welders, technicians and support staff based at Evanton.
It says it is ready for increased work as Norway expands exploration activity in the Barents Sea.
Les Dickson, regional manager for Northern Europe, said: “Norway has been an important market for us for more than 15 years and we have strong relationships with the country’s main producers and contractors.
“We invest significant sums in research and development on welding technologies and equipment which can operate in the world’s toughest environments and as Norway reaches out into the Arctic regions of the Barents Sea, we believe new opportunities will emerge which are ideally suited to our experience and skills set.
“It is very early days for this largely unexplored region but Serimax will be working on strengthening our existing relationships in Norway so that when the time comes we can play a full part in meeting the requirements of existing and new clients.”
For more information on the trade mission go to www.energynorth.co.uk.
SDI is organising a Scottish Pavilion at Offshore Northern Seas (ONS), Stavanger, August 28-31. For more information contact Phil Stirling on 0141 228 2672 or email phil.stirling@scotent.co.uk