Member Article

North East makes South American connections

North East industry played host to South American visitors in March, with the aim of opening up new opportunities in Venezuela for companies in the region.

The visit was organised by NOF Energy, the business development organisation for the oil, gas and energy-related sectors. The visit to the North East England included senior representatives from Venezuela’s National Oil Company, PDVSA, who were keen to meet local companies and advise them of future supply chain opportunities.

Also among the group were representatives from Camera Petrolera, NOF Energy’s energy partner based in Venezuela.

During their visit to the region the delegation took part in a networking event hosted at Hardwick Hall in Sedgefield, where they received a presentation from Jon Dale, Managing Director of Whessoe Oil and Gas and met many of the North East’s oil and gas suppliers.

Joanne Leng, Business Development Director at NOF Energy said: “Venezuela is a priority market for UK oil and gas suppliers. “One of the main objectives from the visit was for PDVSA to see how the UK manages its supply chain and the infrastructure around this. They are keen to develop their own supply chain and support infrastructure for their offshore operations. The UK is well placed to assist in these areas and the North East in particular has a lot to offer.”

Keith Hunter, Group Managing Director of The TTE Technical Training Group, who also presented to the Venezuelan delegation, said: “The products and skills possessed by the North East-based oil and gas supply chain are tremendous and respected around the world. The Venezuelan delegation saw first hand what this region can offer their industry. The future for companies in this region has to be global and therefore opportunities to meet potential new customers should be grasped with both hands.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .