UK-based Permasense, a provider of corrosion and erosion monitoring solutions to the global energy industry, has appointed the Saudi Trading and Research Company Ltd or STARC to support its expansion plans in the Middle East.
The company will operate as Permasense’s exclusive representative in Saudi Arabia.
STARC is an oil and gas, petrochemical, energy and water desalination services provider. The company has delivered pipeline and corrosion services in Saudi Arabia for over a decade.
“This move is the first step on our mission to break into the biggest oil and gas market in the world – the Middle East,” Kevin Clarke, chief revenue officer at Permasense, was quoted as saying in a press release.
“It is estimated that 70% of the fixed platforms and bridges in the region are more than 25 years old, while some exceed 40 years. These ageing assets mean that there is a clear opportunity for Permasense’s continuous pipe-wall thickness sensors,” Clarke said.
Nadim Borini, MENA regional sales manager at Permasense, adds: “The partnership with STARC will put us on the doorstep of key customers, give clients access to an in time-zone team, and provide us with crucial local insight.”
Permasense’s ambitious growth strategy has seen the company open three offices since the start of 2015; it currently has four global offices in Aberdeen (Scotland), Houston (USA), Horsham (England) and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia).
The company also engages a local agent to support its activity in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
Permasense’s future growth strategy is focused on the Russian market, where it hopes to announce its first contract later this year.