Aker Solutions has through its subsidiary Phoenix Polymers International Ltd (Phoenix) established a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility for buoyancy and polyurethane products. Floatation elements for Aker Solutions' deepwater marine drilling risers, which are also manufactured at the site in Malaysia, will be a key deliverable for the new production unit within the manufacturing centre.

"Our manufacturing centre in Malaysia is the world's only 'one stop shop' for subsea production systems. The introduction of our buoyancy production unit, in addition to our drilling riser facility, makes this manufacturing centre even more unique in the global oil and gas industry," says Egil Martinussen, president of Aker Solutions in Malaysia.  

The technology used for the new buoyancy production unit is transferred from Phoenix Polymers International Ltd, an Aberdeen-based company which Aker Solutions acquired a controlling 50 per cent stake in June 2007. The buoyancy manufacturing unit in Malaysia will operate and trade under the Phoenix name.

"The buoyancy production facility will secure delivery of a key component to our drilling riser systems in a part of the world where most new drilling units are being built. This removes logistical barriers, which in turn makes us even more competitive," says Svein Haug, senior vice president Umbilical & Riser, Aker Solutions.

"Setting up our manufacturing centre in Malaysia and acquiring the Phoenix business are two strategic actions that have contributed significantly towards Aker Solutions becoming a market leader in the drilling riser segment. We saw the boom in the global rig market coming and we took action. This latest development is part of a plan to position ourselves for the coming wave of new build drilling units," concludes Haug.

ENDS

 

Media:
Endre Johansen, communications manager, Aker Solutions. Tel: +47 22 94 58 91, Mob: +47 416 10 605, E-mail: endre.johansen@akersolutions.com

Investor relations:
Lasse Torkildsen, SVP Investor Relations, Aker Solutions. Tel: +47 67 51 30 39, Mob: +47 911 37 194

 

Suppliers:
For further information about sourcing and potential subcontracts for this project, please contact [BA Global Sourcing Champion, telephone number found here: http://www.akersolutions.com/Internet/SuppliersCentre/Contacts/SupplyManagementContacts.htm.

 

Career opportunities:
Visit http://www.akersolutions.com/Internet/CareerCentre

 

Aker Solutions ASA, through its subsidiaries and affiliates ("Aker Solutions"), is a leading global provider of engineering and construction services, technology products and integrated solutions. Aker Solutions' business serves several industries, including oil & gas, refining & chemicals, mining & metals and power generation. The Aker Solutions group is organised in a number of separate legal entities. Aker Solutions is used as the common brand/trademark for most of these entities. 

Aker Solutions' parent company is Aker Solutions ASA.  Aker Solutions has aggregated annual revenues of approximately NOK 58 billion and employs approximately 24 000 people in about 30 countries.

Aker Solutions is part of Aker (www.akerasa.com), a group of premier companies with a focus on energy, maritime and marine resource industries. The Aker companies share a common set of values and a long tradition of industrial innovation. As an industrial owner controlling 40.27 percent of the shares in Aker Solutions through Aker Holding AS, Aker ASA takes an active role in the development of Aker Solutions.  

This press release may include forward-looking information or statements and is subject to our disclaimer, see www.akersolutions.com.