Sparrows doubles UAE operations after securing £55m in contracts

ABERDEEN - Sparrows Group has doubled the size of its operations in the UAE after securing contracts worth in excess of £55 million in the past three months. The awards have resulted in more than 150 new positions being created in the region and includes scopes that accelerates the company’s expansion in the drilling sector. 

Included in this recent round of wins is a significant five-year award with a major E&P business as well as two large drilling equipment support contracts.

Work on the five-year fully integrated mechanical lifting equipment management project has already commenced. It will see Sparrows deliver operation and maintenance of existing pedestal cranes and overhead cranes, static lifting equipment, lifeboat davits, loose lifting equipment and mechanical handling equipment will also be encompassed as part of the contract.

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 top drive and pipe handler. The work for both contracts will be undertaken in Sparrows’ workshop facilities in Abu Dhabi.

The company, which has been active in the UAE for more than 20 years, currently employs 200 people in the area. This includes 60 new personnel already brought into the business this year to support continued business growth.

Stewart Mitchell, chief executive officer of Sparrows said: “The UAE has become a renewed focus for Sparrows since our entry into the market over two decades ago and these latest awards demonstrate the reputation we have successfully built in the region.

“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.

“With a robust order book in place for the next five years and a new pipeline of talent being attracted to work for Sparrows in the region, we are expecting to see the business grow exponentially as we continue to deliver operational efficiencies for our clients.”