Xodus Group launches operation in Middle East

An initial team of 19 will be based in the company's new office in the Jumeirah Lake Towers area and will be investing in operations across the Middle East region while offering a full suite of integrated services with a strong focus on Total Field Development.

CEO and CFO of Xodus, Colin Manson and Emma Merchant, have relocated to Dubai to help drive business in the region and support the company's aim to make the Middle East operational base one of the largest in the company.

Colin Manson said, "Xodus' vision of having hub offices in all four regions across the world has come to fruition with the opening of our Dubai office. With the level of activity in the Middle East married with the exponentially growing East African market, we envisage to have more than 50 people by the end of 2012 and reach 100 people within the first year with an eye on expansion into Abu Dhabi and Oman. The Dubai base will be focused on servicing contracts across the gulf including Kurdistan and Iraq and our integrated field development expertise ideally places Xodus to support unique project challenges."

Xodus is currently delivering a number of Total Field Development and Integrated projects in the Middle East including a significant contract showcasing its integrated capabilities for Gulf Keystone Petroleum in Iraqi Kurdistan.

The field development project involves studies to address the key choices in the development of the Shaikan field. It not only includes facility related choices but also wells and subsurface development work. Shaikan is a major discovery with independently audited gross oil in place with resources of between eight and 13.4 billion barrels.

Aberdeen-headquartered Xodus Group launched in 2005 has grown to more than 450 people and a turnover of £38.5m offering integrated services covering both oil and gas and low carbon.

Xodus has invested significantly in expansion recently with offices in Houston, Nigeria, Perth, The Hague, Norway and in the UK. The board is actively seeking out further global expansion and is aiming for organic growth to reach 1,000 people by 2015 and also has an active acquisition strategy.