Petrex prepares to expand and recruit

AN Aberdeen-based subsea engineering business yesterday outlined plans for a significant expansion, with its workforce expected to more than double over the next two years.

Petrex has recently passed the 1 million turnover mark after being formed just under two years ago and has launched a recruitment drive for project engineers and managers.

The company was founded by civil engineer Stephen Rolfe and mechanical engineer Steven Dempster to provide outsourced subsea engineering services and project management for smaller oil and gas and renewables projects.

Rolfe, who previously worked for onshore and offshore pipeline contractors, said: "Despite the challenges of the last 18 months, we are very proud of our success, which is in-line with our forecasts.

"Our aim is to grow but to remain niche.

"Our existing team is one of the best in the industry and we are very privileged and fortunate to have attracted top-quality people to such a young business. We now need to add to that team."

The company is expecting its workforce to grow from 10 to 22 by 2012.

Petrex recently won a contract from Marathon Oil UK, which Rolfe and Dempster worked for before establishing Petrex, to manage work in relation to a new well at its West Brae complex.

It also secured work on the Athena oil development in the North Sea to manage the design, assembly and installation of subsea infrastructure. The company has also worked on projects for BP and BG Group.