Leading Australian firm enhanced support in oil and gas sector
ISLAMABAD, Nov 20 (APP): A leading Australian firm SMEC International has joined hands with Clough Engineering and Integrated Solutions (CEIS) to enhance its activities in the exploration of oil and gas in Pakistan. Australian High Commission in Pakistan and CEIS hosted a reception at the embassy to celebrate the acquisition of CEIS by the SMEC International.
Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Syed Naveed Qamar who was
the chief guest at the reception speaking on the occasion said the
government has demonstrated a strong political commitment and taken a
number of steps to further develop the oil and gas sector keeping with
the overall vision of a liberalized economy.
He said it the decisions of the present democratic government has
resulted in a number of structural changes and contributed to a
competitive market and improved quality of service.
The Minister appreciated and lauded the efforts of Australian High
Commission and Austrade for promoting business relations with Pakistan.
He also acknowledged the CEIS for its valuable contribution in the oil
& gas sector and added that “it is heartening to know that SMEC
International has acquired CEIS, which is already doing a great
business in Pakistan.
The Minister hoped that this acquisition would certainly prove to be
useful for both CEIS and SMEC and they would combine their strengths in
order to achieve synergistic benefits.
Chief Executive Officer, CEIS Pakistan Tassadaq Malik in his welcome
remarks briefed them guests about Clough’s contribution during past 17
years in the oil & gas market.
He said the Clough at the outset delivered multimillion dollar EPCC
projects like, Dhodak LPG Extraction Plant, Uch Gas Transport Pipeline
for OGDCL, Sawan Gas Field Development Project for OMV and for the last
few years providing state-of-the-art engineering and design services to
its clients primarily dealing in production of oil & gas.
He said during last two years, Murray & Roberts purchased the major
shares of Clough and restructured area of operation and restricted
Clough to focus more on internal market and pulled out from India,
Pakistan, Saudi and Indonesia.
He informed the gathering that CEIS has a fully functional office in
Islamabad with in-house support infrastructure ensuring timely delivery
of projects under the new agreement.
The CEIS has excellent IT and communication setups supporting
integrated project management approach between Pakistan and
internationally based resources, he added.
Tim George, Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan speaking on the
praised the services of Clough for the last 17 years in Pakistan.
He said that during this time Clough delivered successfully a number of
projects including some giant turnkey oil & gas projects which
speaks its outstanding business potential & expertise.
He recollected the Australian Prime Minister John Howard’s inauguration of Clough’s permanent offices in Pakistan in 2005.
CEIS as subsidiary of Clough, since then has been providing engineering
services successfully to clients like British Petroleum, BHP Bhilliton,
OMV, Petronas, Pakistan Petroleum, China Petroleum, Tethyon Copper
Company and many other reputed companies.
He enlightened the guests by acquainting SMEC International (Snowy
Mountains Engineering Corporation) which has acquired CEIS Pakistan
operations, as a leading Australian engineering and development
consultancy company with 40 years’ of experience, nearly 4,000 staff,
and offices throughout Australia and in 25 cities around the world with
international reputation for excellence in engineering and design.
Earlier, Mr Barry Norman, the Managing Director SMEC International, in
his address thanked the Australian High Commissioner Tim George,
Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources Syed Naveed Qamar.
He said, “Acquiring the former Clough business in Pakistan has added to
SMEC’s already strong presence in Pakistan and South Asia generally and
is a part of the strategic growth objectives for the region.”
He said SMEC has not been active in the oil & gas sector and SMEC
views CEIS as the foundation on which to develop, expand and grow this
market both in South Asia and to the broader SMEC footprint.
The reception was also attended by Australian High Commissioner Tim
Geroge, Shanaz Wazir Ali, Special Assistant to Prime Minister, local
& foreign oil & gas companies’ representatives, government
officials and senior management of SMEC International from Australia.
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