The company is now the first Saudi-dedicated hot tap, double-block and bleed isolation specialist, and holds the most extensive inventory of large-diameter pipeline isolation equipment in-country

STATS Group (STATS), a leading pipeline engineering specialist, has announced a significant expansion of its operations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, marking a strategic milestone in the company's global growth.

The company has opened a new 2,500 sq m base in Dammam in the country’s Eastern Province, and the newly created Saudi operating company STATS Limited Company for Oil Services has been awarded approved vendor status by one of the Kingdom’s leading energy operators.

With more than $4 million in assets and equipment assigned to Dammam, STATS is now the first Saudi-dedicated hot tap and double-block and bleed isolation specialist and holds the most extensive inventory of large-diameter pipeline isolation equipment in-country.

A significant investment in the new service hub included provision for offices, crane facilities, testing bays and equipment storage to the global STATS ISO standard.

Joe Fraser, STATS Group Operations Manager ME, (left) discusses a 48-inch BISEP tool with a client

The company also hosts its patented Tecno Plug® and BISEP® double block isolation tools in sizes up to 56 inches, alongside hot tapping machines of various sizes up to 60 inches and inline weld testing equipment.

Aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 programme, STATS is also committed to building a predominately Saudi workforce and has already employed nationals in business development, technical and engineering roles.

STATS Group’s Vice-President for the Middle East, Mark Gault, said: "We have a long standing relationship with the Kingdom’s leading energy sector companies and setting up a local entity and opening a base is the natural next step in growing our market presence.

"This investment not only strengthens our infrastructure and ability to more rapidly respond to clients’ needs, but it underlines our commitment to local innovation and to creating employment and skills learning opportunities for Saudi nationals.

"By opening our new service hub, we can now host the largest inventory of hot tapping and isolation equipment in the region, and we have a unique qualification as the only approved contractor providing subsea hot tapping services for a national operator."

The Middle East is one of STATS’ largest markets and the latest investment in Saudi Arabia mirrors the company’s policy of establishing a strong local presence and operational infrastructure in Abu Dhabi, Oman and Qatar.

The company saw a 66-per cent increase in staff in the last year. It now has approximately 160 staff based in the region.

Gault added: "We firmly believe in having our own people on the ground in strategic markets and with our best-in-class technologies this is now paying off with engagement with high profile EPCs and end-clients at FEED stage, meaning STATS’ contribution to major projects is start-to -finish."

Headquartered near Aberdeen, Scotland, STATS, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui and Co, provides specialist engineering services for the maintenance, integrity and repair of oil, gas and petrochemical installations and infrastructure.

It is a leading provider of pressurised pipeline isolation, hot tapping and plugging services to the global energy industry.

STATS has gained an excellent reputation for providing a responsive, client-centred approach combined with expertise and innovative products which enhance safety and environmental performance, reduce system or plant downtime, improve asset performance, and support decommissioning and abandonment.

The group has global offices in Edmonton, Canada; Houston, the US; the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar in the Middle East; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and Perth, Australia, employing 450 people.