JDR, a leading provider of technology connecting the offshore energy industry, is increasing its global footprint with the opening of a new service and maintenance facility in Brazil.

The JDR facility will be the latest addition to the bustling port city of Macaé when it opens for business in Q3 of 2014. The city is seen as an ideal location to build the company’s local presence and reputation, with more than 80% of the oil produced by Brazil being linked through the port in some way.

JDR specialises in the design and production of steel and thermoplastic subsea production umbilicals subsea power cables and Intervention Workover Control Systems (IWOCS) as well as offering offshore and field services for the global oil and gas industry.

The Brazilian market is seen by JDR as being critical to the globalisation of the business, which commands a 70% market share in IWOCS in all markets outside of the South American country.

Andrew Norman, CEO of JDR, said: “The addition of a Brazilian facility is a significant step toward achieving our global growth strategy and a significant milestone in the company’s development.

“Our technologies have been at the heart of a number of significant subsea projects throughout the world and we believe that our expertise and our umbilical core competency lend itself to becoming a leading regional supplier of intervention and workover (IWOCS) products, production umbilicals and hydraulic flying leads (HFLs) that will be needed for pre-salt developments in Brazil.

“The country is home to the largest offshore, deepwater operation in the world, which is JDR’s core expertise. Not only does this make it an attractive proposition, it is also the next logical step for us to service the growing global subsea sector.”

Subsea projects are becoming increasingly important in the drive to access the world’s remaining reserves – with many fields in more challenging environments than ever before. JDR’s in-house engineering teams have been working with clients to ensure the infrastructure is designed and manufactured for each individual project.

Norman added: “Many of the challenges facing Brazil are similar to those we have overcome with clients in other parts of the world and as a result we feel confident that we can add real value to projects throughout the region.”

*In the photo: Pat Herbert, executive chairman of JDR Cable Systems Ltd.