Partner Article

Stockton firm ties down international energy contract

A NORTH EAST fabrication and engineering specialist has secured two major new projects in its latest bid to expand throughout the global energy market.

Stockton based Francis Brown LTD has signed an agreement with SMD to build 20 subsea vehicle launch and recovery systems for a project in South America.

The contract is part of a project being undertaken by SMD to deliver 20 subsea ROV vehicles for Subsea 7 working with Brazilian national energy company, Petrobras.

The organisation, which employs 60 people, is also undertaking a specialist refurbishment programme of a 105 tonne boiler from Lucite in Billingham.

Jamie Brown, Managing Director of Francis Brown Ltd, said: “The two diverse contracts with SMD demonstrate where we are now positioned in the supply chain delivering services to both oil & gas and renewable energy projects.

“Throughout our history we have diversified our services to meet the challenges of industry, which we are continuing to do 100 years later.

“This is an exciting time for the energy sector and important that supply chain companies like Francis Brown can serve a cross-section of the market.”

These new contracts for Francis Brown come on the back of two high-profile projects for Francis Brown Ltd in the renewable industry sector.

The 107-year old company recently completed the fabrication of a key section of the Wave Hub system, which has been manufactured by Hartlepool-based JDR Cables.

In addition, the company recently undertook a major fabrication project, also for SMD, as part of the construction of the Atlantis Tidal Turbine, which is part of a major renewable energy test project in the North Sea.

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