East of England Energy Firms Team Up at SPE Offshore Europe

Nearly 20 East of England energy companies have teamed up to make the maximum impact at SPE Offshore Europe in Aberdeen (September 3-6).

Spurred by the renewed dash for gas in the Southern North Sea, the supply chain businesses from Norfolk and Suffolk have headed north to remind the world of the unrivalled richness and variety of resources and experience within the East of England Energy Zone (EEEZ).

The joint stand will represent everything from the energy engineering and transport companies to ports, insurers and publishers and will stage two receptions to encourage networking with delegates.

“We have been England’s leading hub for the SNS gas sector for nearly 50 years and continue to offer that unique heritage of expertise to the UK and worldwide,” said James Gray, inward investment director for EEEZ, which is hosting the stand.

“With many energy companies also diversifying into the burgeoning offshore wind market along our coast, we are attracting major investment into EEEZ with significant interest from tier one companies.”

Around 6,200 businesses are active in all energy sectors across the region, together responsible for total annual turnover of £12.9bn. They employ more than 103,000 people, a figure set to increase with the new industry-driven skills programme, Skills for Energy, led by trade association EEEGR (East of England Energy Group) which will be among the exhibitors.

Also on show will be AKD Engineering, from Lowestoft, which recently agreed a £5m deal with Shell for work on a rejuvenation project at Bacton gas terminal.

Derrick Services (UK) Limited started the year strongly with derrick refurbishment contracts in Holland and Abu Dhabi as well as a significant derrick recertification contract in India.

Energy services company CLS Offshore has just launched a business plan to double its £20m turnover and workforce over the next two years while Fendercare Marine invested £1m in a new offshores support base at Great Yarmouth.

Great Yarmouth’s EastPort UK is also fully geared up for the resurging interest in the offshore industry.

“With investment in oil and gas set to increase dramatically over the next decade, we expect to see spin-off benefits in the ports and supply chain across Norfolk and Suffolk,” said  Gray.