Scottish mission to Angola explores growth in oil and gas relationship

Scottish oil and gas sector exports to Africa have grown rapidly over the last half decade, passing £2.3 billion in 2012/13, almost doubling year-on-year: and more than half of those exports were destined for Angola[1]. Recent studies by Scottish Development International and the Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce have shown that opportunities for continued growth are particularly strong in Angola, the second largest oil producer in Sub-Saharan Africa[2] and a market where links between domestic companies and Scottish partners have been steadily growing.

Scottish Development International (SDI) this week is leading a trade mission of eight oil and gas companies to Luanda, to strengthen the relationship between players in both markets and explore opportunities to further enhance in-market capabilities across the sector, from offshore services to remote communications and network systems, and essential meteorological services.

The trade mission will be led by Gary Soper, recently appointed as SDI’s Regional Manager for Africa and will include:

• Centrifuges Un-Limited – specialist equipment manufacturer
• Ferguson Group – leading services provider for the oil and gas sector
• The Met Office – the world’s most prestigious meteorological services provider
• Paradigm Flow Services – the only service company providing specialist services for the safe and efficient remediation of blockages & restrictions in the offshore oil and gas industry
• RigNet – a leading global provider of managed remote communications, systems integration and collaborative applications dedicated to the oil and gas industry
• Seal–Tite International – global provider of leak repair services, based on new and unique technologies
• Thinjack – global provider of separating seized well flanges
• Wireline Engineering – designs, manufactures and provides products for wireline operations in deviated wells.

Operational challenges and the business environment within Angola will be discussed and debated, while SDI will also facilitate opportunities for its delegates to enhance their links with key figures in the oil and gas industry in the country, and to gain a fuller understanding of the opportunities that exist there and how they can best be accessed. The visit will include engagement with local UKTI representatives and a series of large Angolan oil and gas companies, with which further collaboration can be sought.

Gary Soper, Regional Manager for Africa at Scottish Development International, said: “There could not be a better time for our first oil and gas focused visit to Angola. The oil and gas sector in Angola is one of the most dynamic anywhere on the continent and we see significant opportunities for our companies to play a meaningful role in the ongoing development of the industry in the country. With a wealth of experience in the deepwater and offshore industry in particular, Scottish companies have much to offer and are keen to identify potential new and exciting partnerships with Angolan companies that can unlock significant opportunities for bilateral growth and development.

“With Angola, and Africa more widely, set to be areas of significant growth for Scottish companies, this mission is an excellent opportunity for Scotland to reinforce the part it can play in the development of the sector globally; the role it occupies as a centre of excellence for hydrocarbon technologies; and to showcase some of the best that Scotland has to offer in oil and gas.”