Rabbitte: Offshore activity can have spin-off

Ireland’s burgeoning offshore oil and gas industry can have a hugely positive knock-on effect to support services companies here, Energy Minister Pat Rabbitte has said.

The minister was addressing delegates at a conference jointly organised by Enterprise Ireland and international supply chain management advisory Achilles Group.

Mr Rabbitte said accessing major business opportunities linked to offshore oil and gas exploration activity can position Irish firms to internationalise their offering in global markets, as well as increase the volume of export business and new jobs.

The opportunities included everything from catering and transport services, to civil engineering and infrastructural support.

Mr Rabbitte said that renewed interest in the Celtic Sea and drilling activity in the Dunquin field off the Kerry coast — initial results from which should be known in the next six weeks — “augur well in terms of opportunities for Ireland and business opportunities for Irish suppliers, and for jobs and related spin-off benefits”.

“I urge Irish companies to demonstrate a robust commitment to health and safety, compliance and ethics, to maximise their chances of being selected for new business opportunities linked to these developments,” said Mr Rabbitte.

Meanwhile, Dublin- and Cork-based international professional services firm PM Group has signed an enterprise agreement with Canadian company Gas Liquids Engineering to open new markets and help develop new business in the gas processing industry.

The two companies have had a working relationship since last year, when they teamed up to provide engineering services to Canada’s gas processing industry.

According to PM’s energy sector director, Colm O’Mahony, the firms are currently active in bidding in “several regions around the world”.