Subsea Specialist Flexlife Expands Houston Premises, USA

Flexlife, a specialist provider of flexible pipe integrity and engineering services, is expanding into new premises in Houston and targeting US work with a value of nearly £2million in the next financial year.

The company, which currently has three members of staff at its US office, is looking to double its workforce when it expands to new premises later this month, with options for future growth over the coming 12 to 18 months.

Since its opening 18 months ago, the Houston office has seen an annual turnover of around £195,000 ($300,000) and expects that to rise to nearly £1.9m ($3million) for the coming financial year.

This increase in expected turnover is due to rising demand for the wide range of flexible pipe Integrity and engineering services, particularly in the Gulf of Mexico and North Atlantic regions.

Flexlife’s Houston office has supported global operators to provide technical support in flexible pipe inspection. The company is also planning to deploy its patented flexible pipe scanning tool Neptune in the Gulf of Mexico later this year.

Stephen Burgdorf, VP for Business Development in Houston, said: “Our expertise in flexible pipe integrity, including annulus testing, UT scanning, engineering and repair solutions, has helped us build up a portfolio of projects with large operators, ensuring Flexlife remains the company of choice for technical support. Our highly qualified team can draw on integrity management and engineering capabilities to help our clients in our immediate region and around the globe.

“We look forward to moving into new premises, which are in the heart of the Energy Corridor in Houston. This will position us in close proximity to almost all of our clients in the region, as well as giving us a recognisable address.”

Flexlife Chief Executive Ciaran O’Donnell said: “The Houston base has gone from strength to strength in recent months and we have no doubt that the office will continue to grow in its capabilities and contract wins. Flexlife has established itself as a major player in North Sea operations, and these skills transfer well to the Gulf of Mexico. With our growth in Houston, Flexlife has continued to add to its reputation of offering complete subsea integrity solutions internationally.”

Flexlife’s global HQ is based in Aberdeen, Scotland. The company also has bases in the US and Newcastle and operates globally.

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Press Release, May 08, 2013