Aker Solutions Acquires Opus
Aker Solutions has acquired a specialist processing company called Opus Maxim Ltd (Opus), headquartered in the UK. This is an acquisition targeted at strengthening our technology portfolio in the process systems segment.
Opus is a leader in oil/water separation and produced water treatment, with particular expertise in modifying and enhancing ageing oil and produced water processing systems.
Opus, which has around 40 employees in Guildford and the Orkney island of Flotta, has developed in-house technologies and solutions, which it offers to the global market. In Orkney, it has established unique testing facilities, which enable accurate simulation and modelling of fluids generated during oil and gas production. It also enables customers to determine the optimum oil/water separation and produced water treatment solution specific to an oil company’s reservoir.
The test facilities will also enable Aker Solutions to conduct R&D activities aimed at enhancing existing oil/water separation and produced water treatments and develop new technologies and products in response to their clients’ specific needs.
“The purchase of Opus will significantly enhance our process systems technology portfolio,” says David Merle, head of Aker Solutions’ process systems business. “We have ambitious plans to increase growth in the process systems business, and strengthening our existing produced water treatment, R&D testing facilities and environmental services capability are important steps on that journey.”
Nigel Weir, founder of Opus, said: “This is an excellent result for Opus, our staff and Aker Solutions. The fit of our two businesses, our culture and vision will add value to both business and most importantly add value to our clients businesses. The Opus team is looking forward to this next stage in Opus’ future with a strong, progressive and impressive owner.”
Graeme Harrison, Head of Operations, Highlands & Islands Enterprise
Graeme Harrison, Head of Operations, Highlands & Islands Enterprise in Orkney, said: "HIE is delighted to have helped facilitate the significant growth of Opus' operations on Flotta in recent years. We look forward to continuing our partnership as the business continues to develop under the stewardship of Aker Solutions. The acquisition is testament to the ground breaking work that has been carried out by Opus and we are delighted for the business and its Orkney team as they look forward to the exciting opportunities that this development will bring."
James Stockan, Chair of the Development and Infrastructure Committee, Orkney Islands Council
James Stockan, chair of the development and infrastructure committee for Orkney Islands Council said: “I am delighted to hear of the acquisition of a progressive local Orkney based company by an international company such as Aker Solutions.
“Clearly the levels of experience and expertise that Opus have to offer in such a technically specific industry has proved very attractive to a major stakeholder in the oil and gas industry, and this just goes to prove that once again home grown talent and expertise in Orkney is clearly in global demand.”
Opus, whose motto is ‘results delivered’, has its headquarters in Guildford in Surrey and testing/development facilities in the Orkney island of Flotta. It specialises in treatments for oil separation and produced water which is a by-product of petroleum production.
Opus won the Best Oil and Gas Industry Service Supplier Award from the industry organisation Energy North in 2012.