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Aberdeen to spearhead Aker Solutions well intervention growth

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Aker Solutions is aiming to significantly grow its well intervention business by building on the Qserv business in Aberdeen, which was acquired three years ago.

The recent restructure of Aker Solutions resulted in the creation of a new well intervention business in February this year. The business unit comprises the well intervention business at Portlethen in Aberdeen and a similar business in Stavanger. It employs around 1 200 people in both cities whilst operating in Europe, Africa, Middle-East, Asia Pacific and North America.

Headed up by recently appointed executive vice-president, Wolfgang Puennel, the new business combines thirty years of service and technologies, and provides a range of services including well intervention, pipeline and process services.

Mr Puennel will harness the extensive North Sea expertise, expand the portfolio of services and lever new international business. The ambitious plans will be achieved through rapid organic growth that capitalises on the current market share and through the acquisition of complementary services and technologies.

Mr Puennel said: “At the moment, we are a leader in the provision of well intervention services in the North Sea with an international presence. Revenues last year were 210 Million GBP, of which approximately a quarter was outside the North Sea. Our goal is to grow to become an even more prominent international provider of well intervention excellence by 2016.

“We will do this by increasing our capability and capacity. Attracting the right resources and identifying the right acquisitions will be a priority along with further enhancing our offering.”

The new organisation structure for well intervention will see three managing directors reporting to Mr Puennel to lead this integrated business, one in Aberdeen focusing on the UKCS, one in Stavanger focusing on the NCS, and one for international markets, also located in Aberdeen.

The existing senior management team will be complemented by other key positions to support the growth plans. A transition plan is in place for the departure of the Dreelan brothers in July this year, as planned following the acquisition of Qserv by Aker Solutions in July 2008.

Commenting on their departure, Wolfgang Puennel said: “Tommy and Ciaran Dreelan have done a remarkable job in building this business out of Aberdeen. I am impressed by the results achieved by them and their team over the past few years, and I am honoured that I have been charged with the task to bring this proud story forward to new and even greater successes in the future."

Ciaran Dreelan said: "Tommy and I have have enjoyed being part of Aker Solutions for the last three years and we wish the Qserv team and Aker Solutions all the best in the future. We are confident the well intervention business will succeed in becoming a world-leader and we are looking forward to assisting Wolfgang with the integration into the new business unit and to introducing him to our clients."