Northern Territory companies take it to the world stage

Three companies based in the Northern Territory have returned from one of the world’s most prestigious oil and gas events with stories to tell. Fingers Specialised Metal Fabrication, Hydraulink NT with associated KM Engineering (HKME) and Combined Communication Solutions took part in the 2013 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, USA, which attracted more than 100,000 attendees and 2,700 exhibitors.

The three companies were identified by INPEX in consultation with the Northern Territory Industry Capability Network (ICN) for the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia (AMCHAM) trade mission to OTC.

INPEX, the operator of the Ichthys Project, was a major sponsor of the trade mission and part-funded the participation by Northern Territory industry.

Fingers Specialised Metal Fabrication Managing Director Mark Taylor said the networking opportunities were invaluable.

“The trip was a great way to meet the big players in the global oil and gas industry, but also for building relationships with some of the companies we’re already working with on the Ichthys Project,” he said.

“There were 34 other Australian resource companies forming the AMCHAM delegation alone.” “Even the plane flights proved great for talking shop.”

Stuart Kenny, General Manager Northern Australia of Austal Service which recently acquired HKME, said the conference was extraordinary. “It provided a fantastic linkage to established, international supply chains,” he said.

“And it gave us great insight into the skills and capacity required as our business grows to meet demand from the oil and gas sector.”

ICN helps Australian businesses access opportunities in industry, government and major projects.

The Ichthys Project has contracted the Northern Territory ICN to assist local companies develop and identify business opportunities related to the Project.

INPEX General Manager External Affairs and Joint Venture Bill Townsend said the company was committed to supporting local businesses. “We are not only committed to identifying prospects for Territory businesses to compete for work on the Ichthys Project, but also to assisting local industry to access the global oil and gas market,” he said.

“The trade mission was a way for these local companies to gain exposure to international industry opportunities – something they may never have experienced otherwise.”