Dr Lev Roberts-Haritonov, general manager of Neptune's Subsea Engineering service line, said the company identified the Gulf as a key region before being a first-time exhibitor at OTC last year with Scottish Development International.

 

Neptune CEO Robin King told Energy News earlier this month that the company planned to grow its engineering capability in the US and would initially support and service that region from the UK where it has an existing engineering capability and two manufacturing assembly and test facilities. 

 

Neptune sold its US diving business in February 2012 to a local private equity firm, which had previously been an investor in the industry, for about $500 million.

 

Now, Dr Roberts-Haritonov said meeting key operators and clients at OTC had given the company a fundamental understanding of the requirements and helped it align its strategic expansion back into the US.

 

The company will again attend OTC as part of the Scotland Pavilion to engage the market further, believing it has a gap to fill in the US market.

 

"While Neptune is in its infancy year within Houston, we have received positive feedback from operators and Tier 1 contractors indicating that Neptune's technical expertise and offerings in the development and deployment of advanced, yet efficient, specialised engineering solutions to subsea integrity challenges have the potential to fill a gap in the region's marketplace," he said.

 

Scottish Development International, the government's international arm, has supported Neptune's expansion into the US.

 

Neptune was awarded funding in from SDI last year to help its push into North America. 

 

"There has never been a more important time for companies to look at overseas markets to help sustain and grow Scotland's oil and gas sector," Houston-based SDI energy sector manager Shannon Norstrud said.

 

"Neptune Marine Services has shown how this can be achieved with the right support and I wish it every success as it continues to fulfil its long-term growth ambition."