ODE gains from new London headquarters

International engineering and operations support services contractor ODE is prepared for the challenges going into 2016 following its first year in its new technically efficient headquarters.

The UK company – an integral part of the Paris-based DORIS Group – moved from its previous premises, consolidating its two Kingston-upon-Thames offices into a fully refurbished modern Wimbledon site. The new facility, which is closer to central London, takes advantage of improved telecoms and transport infrastructure.

Enabling efficient operations

ODE recognised the need to adapt to the current industry conditions in order to make its operations more efficient. As such, the new facility’s technical capabilities have resulted in operational cost savings while increasing performance and enhancing integration with its offices in Great Yarmouth and Cairo, plus DORIS worldwide.

“Although we acknowledge that the oil and gas and renewables markets are being challenged at the moment, a good company will always adapt,” said ODE Managing Director Peter Godfrey.

“We are investing in our people and our new facilities, and are recruiting and retaining where we can, as we prepare for the near term slow down and the longer term recovery.

“We know the energy market is cyclical – it will come back. When it does, we will be ready, stronger, leaner and better prepared to support our clients. We have been able, through this office move, to consolidate our operations in central London, set ourselves up to be different and offer an excellent working environment for both our employees and clients alike.”

DORIS Group employs more than 1440 people globally, providing engineering and technical services in every discipline to the energy industry. ODE was created in 1978 to support the North Sea oil and gas industry. The international company has evolved to meet market needs and challenges from concrete structures to low cost subsea and platform solutions. ODE also provides operational services and is a leading expert in renewables and decommissioning.

Projects and contracts

ODE’s UK projects in the oil and gas industry have been undertaken in the Southern North Sea and West of Shetland, and the company was recently awarded a number of contracts overseas.

The new headquarters supports the delivery of these contracts through the cost effective creation and management of project teams, while also enhancing the company’s provision of functional type or standalone technical services and engineering studies.

Additional support

ODE is also supported by an office in Great Yarmouth for operational and brownfield engineering capabilities, and an international office in Cairo for Middle East and North Africa (MENA) focused technical services. These facilities include modern communication links back to the London headquarters.

“Part of our strategy is to retain core competencies with a high staff to contract ratio, and within an excellent working environment. We will continue to support clients regionally and worldwide and we will establish project bases or additional permanent facilities wherever these are needed,” continued Mr Godfrey.

“We have approximately 250 people working all over the world, including in our offices in Great Yarmouth and North Africa. A more central London location and our new working environment provide crucial benefits for the welfare of our staff, and the ability to engage with our colleagues and clients, wherever they are in the world.”

50 years celebration

In 2015, DORIS celebrated 50 years of operations and innovation. The company is well known as an engineering leader in the upstream oil and gas industry in all regions, and with a notable expertise in floating facilities, subsea and deepwater concepts, designs and solutions. ODE is strongly supported, when appropriate, by this capability.

Corporate key offices, in addition to ODE’s, are in Paris, Houston, Brazil, Australia and Angola. ODE shares best practices, integrates personnel, and also exchanges lessons learned, new technology and corporate processes with the parent company.

“ODE’s new headquarters show the continued evolution of a company to meet energy industry needs as these have changed over the last 50 years. The company will continue to adapt and provide the most efficient and appropriate support to new and existing clients as the markets change over the years to come,” said Mr Godfrey.

Edited from source by Stephanie Roker

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/21122015/ode-gains-from-new-london-headquarters/