Omega Subsea buys personnel firm in UK

Omega Subsea UK, a provider of project personnel to the energy industry, has acquired Westhill-based personnel firm Accpron UK.

Omega Subsea UK, the UK division of Norwegian project management firm Omega, said on Tuesday that this move will strengthen the provision of project management teams and personnel to the subsea, energy and oil and gas industries.

Omega Subsea also added that the two companies previously worked together as partners and that clients of both companies will be provided with a greater depth of service as a result of the merger.

The company said it would still concentrate on providing project management teams but also will offer specialist teams to deliver focused commercial, contractual and HSEQ support services.

The increased skillset created by the merger will see Omega Subsea diversify into other sectors while remaining active in its current portfolio mostly consisting of drilling and subsurface engineering, decommissioning, and onshore and renewable marine markets.

Established in 2011, Accpron UK provided personnel to the subsea and ROV industries and was led by general manager Keith Robathan, who will now hold the same role with Omega Subsea. All of Accpron’s staff, comprised mainly of project personnel, will transfer to Omega Subsea and operate from its premises in Inverurie, Scotland.

The acquisition comes just one year after Omega Subsea UK was established. During that time the firm has secured contracts with operators and tier one contractors in the subsea and oil and gas sectors in the North Sea, Mediterranean and West Africa. The firm expects to turnover around $3.3 million for its first year of combined operation.

Alistair McKee, Omega Subsea UK managing director, said: “The combined company resources and increased diversity of our candidate portfolio will aid the targeted expansion of our service offering to the energy industry. It also provides an impetus to expand across a wider industry geography.”

Keith Robathan, the General Manager of Accpron UK, said: “The acquisition by Omega Subsea is in line with its focus on providing a complete project management service. Principally, the combined entities enhance the offering of project teams for small and mid-sized projects for both E&P and contracting companies.”

Petter Aalvik, CEO of Omega AS, added: “This latest acquisition solidifies the presence of Omega within the UK and strengthens the commitment to customers across the energy sector. We believe that the expanded capacity created by this acquisition will be advantageous for all concerned.”