Paris showcase for UK subsea companies

For the second time, over 40 UK subsea companies will be heading to the French capital to showcase their skills and expertise during Subsea Solutions: Paris 2005 , a one-day event aimed at establishing valuable new international business links.

The exhibition, to be staged at the Espace Grande Arche, La Défense, on 28 th June 2005, is being organised by Subsea UK with the support of Scottish Enterprise Grampian and Scottish Development International, to highlight what the UK subsea industry can offer in oil and gas provinces around the world, as well as in other sectors such as oceanology, military and telecoms.

" Paris is a key city for subsea companies," says David Pridden , chief executive of Subsea UK. "This is because of its concentration of key operators and contractors working in West Africa , and France 's growing reputation as a hub of global activity in the subsea oil and gas and wider oceanology and telecommunication sectors.

"In particular, much of the specification and purchasing of products and services for the West African oil and gas market is focused on Paris and this is a real growth area for UK subsea companies."

The businesses taking part in the exhibition are members of Subsea UK, the organisation formed to harness UK expertise in the subsea sector which employs about 40,000 in the UK and contributes approximately £2 billion to the economy.

The major international event is supported by the DTI, Scottish Enterprise Energy, UK Trade and Investment and Scottish Development International.

David Pridden adds : "The exhibition represents a prime opportunity for us to highlight the skills, capabilities and resources of our subsea companies to a very important audience. Visitors will be able to view so much of what the UK subsea industry offers - in one day, under one roof.

"It presents a win-win scenario: I am confident visiting delegates will find exciting new solutions to the subsea issues and challenges they face, while our member companies are exposed to potential new clients and new opportunities on a global scale."

Patrick O'Brien, managing director of subsea riser engineering consultancy MCS and a board member of Subsea UK, said: "The need for diversification, sectorally and geographically, is as important to the subsea sector as it is to any other associated with the oil and gas industry. That is why an event like this is of huge value to us.

" UK subsea companies are in many respects at the cutting edge in terms of experience, innovation and product development gained and such exhibitions are a prime means of demonstrating that to the global marketplace."

Last year's Paris event was the first collaborative marketing initiative outside the UKCS for subsea companies. This year's event will also encompass a series of presentations and technical papers prepared by participating firms.

There are still places available and companies wishing to attend and or exhibit, should contact Trish Burrell at Subsea UK on 01224 355355

Subsea UK , supported by Scottish Enterprise and the DTI, was established as a focal point for all stakeholders to promote the sector and maximise its opportunities globally. It provides a national forum for collaboration, diversification, commercialisation of technology and co-ordinated marketing at home and overseas.

More details are available at http://www.subseauk.org/