Plexus gains Total support

FRENCH oil giant Total has signed up to Aberdeen-based engineering firm Plexus’ project to design well-heads that will help prevent the types of blow-out that caused the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

Shares in Aim-quoted Plexus jumped nearly 7 per cent yesterday after Total was unveiled as the seventh major oil and gas company to join the development programme.

The other firms already signed up to the project – which will use technology developed by Plexus – are Eni, Maersk, Oil States Industries, Shell, Tullow and Wintershall.

Plexus’ chief executive Ben Van Bilderbeek said: “This is the first time Plexus will be working alongside Total and we are delighted to welcome them on board.”

Shares closed up 17p at 269.5p.