3 February 2014

Costain, one of the UK’s leading engineering solutions providers has today launched “Costain Upstream”, a specialist provider of project management, engineering and support services to the upstream oil and gas market.

Costain Upstream, part of the Group’s broader oil and gas capability, combines the capabilities of oil and gas project management services company EPC Offshore, which was acquired by Costain in August 2013, and oil and gas engineering support services company Clerk Maxwell, which was acquired by Costain in 2011.

Keith Wallace, Executive Vice President, said:  “Costain Upstream provides integrated services across the life-cycle of upstream oil and gas assets – from design consultancy at the start of a project to post-construction operation and eventual decommissioning.  As part of the Costain group, we ensure the focus of group-wide resources to transform customers’ upstream opportunities into commercially successful projects.  We can be as flexible as the asset demands, and deliver exactly what customers want, when they want it.”

The combined operation is structured to deliver across the three phases of oil and gas projects:  Select, Deliver and Improve.  The Select team assesses project feasibility, develops field development options and defines the scope of work.  The Deliver team provides EPCM (engineering, procurement, and construction management) services from subsea wellhead through to topside facilities and on to export.  The Improve team sustains and extends projects through services that include brownfield engineering and plant optimisation.

Keith added: “Initial reaction from customers to Costain Upstream has been positive.  All our retained clients have quickly recognised the opportunities and value the new operation will create.

“The team is based in Aberdeen and currently employs 180 people.  Our focus is on building relationships with existing clients while growing the business. 

“We’re aiming to grow the company significantly, mainly organically but we will bring other businesses into the fold through acquisition if the opportunity looks right.  Although we are currently UK focused, we will also be looking for projects further afield.”

The organisation has operating and support units in Teesside, Maidenhead, Manchester and Abu Dhabi.

Ends