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Egyptian offshore contractor INW expanding into the region

Egyptian offshore contractor INW expanding into the region
Egyptian diving and marine contractor International Naval Works (INW) expects to take delivery of a sixth newbuild offshore support vessel (AHTS/DP-2) by May, as it expands its operations beyond its home country into the Gulf.

Despite its name, INW serves of the offshore oil and gas industry with an existing fleet of five craft that includes a diving support vessel, a utility support vessel and three anchor handling tugs, the latest of which was delivered in 2012.

“Every year we build one vessel. We have a strategic plan to [own] five more vessels,” said Mohamed Ezz El Din, INW’s vice chairman. The company also owns subsidiary International Marine Works.

“We operate the vessels ourselves. We have two vessels working in Kuwait, two in Abu Dhabi and one working here in Egypt in the Red Sea,” said Ezz El Din.

The company is owned by ex-Egyptian frogman, Omar Ezz El Din, Mohamed’s father.

INW’s head office is located in Alexandria, with branches in Cairo, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi.

It has a significant roster of Middle East clients, including Qatar Petroleum, Saudi Aramco and Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company (Adma-Opco) and Abu Dhabi Gas Industries Ltd (GASCO). INW’s workforce totals 500, including 250 divers, 150 crew and 100 administration staff.

“On the diving side, we are the biggest in the Middle East,” he says. “Most of our clients are based in Cairo.”

INW is engaged in Saudi Arabia at Ras Tanura for Saudi Aramco and in Khafji with Kuwait Gulf Oil (KGO), where it conducts seabed surveys.

“After the rig goes in we check the legs and we also do underwater inspections for rigs and vessels,” Capt. Ezz El Din said.

INW vessels are classed by ABS, Bureau Veritas, Lloyd’s Register and DNV GL, among others.

Ezz El Din says INW are the main contractors in Egypt for the Gulf of Suez Petroleum Co. (GUPCO), owned 51% by the Egyptian government and 49% by British Petroleum.

He said Egypt’s main offshore oil production was located in the 210 km stretch between Suez and Ras Shukeir, while most deposits in the Mediterranean were non-associated gas.

INW also runs the Egyptian International Diving School in Alexandria, which teaches students specifically about commercial diving.

Approximately 75% of Egypt’s oil and gas production is located offshore, with the remainder onshore.

TAGS: Offshore Egypt