Inspection and verification specialist IVB (Inspection Verification Bureau Ltd.) has doubled its activity in the Southern North Sea with a significant expansion to an existing five-year contract to deliver verification services to 19 platforms for an international oil and gas company.

Leading Netherlands oil and gas exploration and production company Wintershall has engaged the Great Yarmouth-based company for all its assets in the SNS Dutch sector and one onshore facility.

The company, now in its 12th year of operation, is now looking to expand its team with additional full-time permanent staff as well as swelling its network of contractors.

Technical director Matt Chapman said IVB’s growing global reputation was winning new business after a tough time during the pandemic and the oil price slumps.

“The Wintershall contract was a significant increase to the IVB client base and this increase in contract scope size is good for the future security and longevity of the local area and our growth.

“Last year we were the Verification Body for one of Wintershall’s platforms and it’s now been extended to 19 with instant effect.

“We are really pleased to have secured such a valuable contract from such a highly respected operator as Wintershall.

“Wintershall has been in the Dutch sector for more than 50 years and is one of Europe’s leading independent gas and oil companies.

“Our people will be travelling to look at the offshore installations and the onshore facility shortly.”

IVB director Chris Bolton said: “The situation in Ukraine has made businesses look closely at their SNS asset and the value of their resources and that is going to help businesses like us as the supply chain is shortened.”

IVB has completed renewable projects and also targeting its expertise at low carbon energy markets, he said.

“We can see the industry looking at gas storage again and we are expecting this to be a target for us.

“We are also currently in discussion with a client developing a waste to energy system. We are looking at every area for opportunities where our expertise can be used.”

Current work includes a contract with TotalEnergies Nederlands, which started six years ago, verification work offshore in Egypt and new-build projects in the Middle East.

Matt said: “A UK client has midwater buoyancy tanks being made near Dubai and IVB is supplying quality control of the fabrication, this is an extension of a job that has been going on for a couple of years.”

Inspection work in Great Yarmouth was brisk and investment in a UK-wide marketing campaign was stimulating positive responses, he said.

“We do a lot of inspection and verification work in the Great Yarmouth area for local companies making equipment for offshore gas installations and renewables.”

KeyFacts Energy Industry Directory: Inspection Verification Bureau