Sparrows Group, an international specialist equipment and integrated engineering services company, has doubled the size of its operations in the UAE after securing contracts worth in excess of $70 million in the past 3 months. The awards have resulted in over 150 new positions being created in the region and includes scopes that accelerate the company’s expansion in the drilling sector.
Included in this recent round of wins is a significant 5-year award with a major E&P business as well as two large drilling equipment support contracts.
Work on the 5-year fully integrated mechanical lifting equipment management project has already begun, which encompasses the operation and maintenance of existing pedestal cranes and overhead cranes, static lifting equipment, lifeboat davits, loose lifting equipment, and mechanical handling equipment.
The first of two major contracts for drilling equipment services in the region will see the company deliver full overhaul and recertification of nine catwalk units and eight mast cranes. The second project is for the inspection, repair, and recertification of a topdrive and pipe handler. The work for both contracts will be undertaken in Sparrows’ workshop facilities in Abu Dhabi.
Stewart Mitchell, CEO of Sparrows said in a statement, “The drilling sector has been a key growth area for the business and it is fantastic to see our footprint expand in this market. Our regional team has completed successful projects in the UAE and Singapore in the last 12 months and we already have a healthy pipeline of work moving in to next year.
Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia LLC became the first company in the Kingdom to be awarded Approved Service Provider Recognition for crane maintenance and overhaul by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).
The certification demonstrates conformity to recognized industry standards and applicable ABS rules following an audit process. All crane manufacturers, including Sparrows Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) brands, are covered in the accreditation for onshore and offshore cranes.
The company was also awarded its first contract with Qatar Petroleum to provide crane maintenance services on the PS-1 platform located in the Idd El-Shargi field, North Dome, 85 km east of Doha.
The contract was awarded as part of a competitive tender process following the transfer of ownership of the asset. The services covered include periodic predictive maintenance, spare parts provision, repair, overhaul of components, crane condition evaluation, wire rope changeout and troubleshooting.
Under the new agreement, Sparrows, who worked on the platform previously, will maintain the cranes on the platform for 2 years.