NEW global offshore marine and engineering consultancy Aqualis Offshore targets the Middle East market through establishing offices in Dubai, UAE, and Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The company’s Middle East operation expects to grow significantly over the coming years.

“Our focus was on setting up offices in the world’s most important oil and gas regions from day one, hence we are establishing ourselves in Dubai and Saudi Arabia. This allows us to support our customers in the Middle East and provide an immediate alternative to the established consultancy players,” says Reuben Segal, director – Middle East, Aqualis Offshore. “The timing is right, there is room in the Middle East for an additional player”.

The Dubai office currently houses 15 employees. The number is expected to grow to approximately 60 employees by the end of 2015. All employees have broad experience from offshore projects in the region and through working closely with construction yards in the Middle East. Aqualis Offshore, which started operations a few months ago, has also set up offices in London, UK (HQ); Sandefjord, Norway; Houston, US; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and Singapore.

The company also plans to open up an office in Abu Dhabi during the next six months.

Aqualis Offshore is a specialised marine and offshore engineering consultancy focusing on the shallow and deep-water offshore segments of the oil and gas industry. Its core services includes concept, Feed and basic design engineering for upgrades and conversions of jack-ups, rigs and other fixed offshore installations, rig moving, marine warranty, dynamic positioning and construction supervision services. The company also offers transportation and installation as well as due diligence services.

“We are a mix of offshore-experienced mariners and engineers who provide an integrated service. It means that we can work directly for our clients on engineering or offshore projects, or operate as an independent third party on, for example, marine warranty or DP jobs,” says Reuben Segal.