Global specialist equipment and integrated engineering services company, Sparrows Group, has made a significant development in Saudi Arabia after being granted commercial registration to operate in the Kingdom.

The commercial registration allows Sparrows Saudi Arabia LLC, a newly established entity in Dammam, to deliver services related to the extraction of oil and natural gas and associated support activities.

A locally established company with the relevant commercial registration is a key requirement in the In Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) programme which supports Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. The IKTVA programme is sponsored by Saudi Aramco and is designed to drive increased investment, economic diversification, job creation and workforce development within the Kingdom.

Sparrows re-entered the Saudi marketplace in 2015 and has been working towards achieving the official commercial registration. During this process, its Houston-based manufacturing facility became an approved supplier for offshore pedestal cranes for the country's national oil company, Saudi Aramco.

Chief executive officer of Sparrows, Stewart Mitchell, said: “Saudi Arabia has one of the world's largest petroleum resources with more than 100 different producing fields, eight of which are responsible for most of the country's oil production. This high level of activity means there is demand for all our services. In particular, our modular rental cranes, specialist inspection such as non-destructive testing (NDT), Dropped Objects Prevention Scheme (DROPS) and lifting equipment examinations, and our accredited crane, lifting and fluid power training courses and competence expertise.

“We look forward to growing our footprint in Saudi Arabia and working closely with the local market to deliver the highest quality of safety and integrity, ensuring compliance for every project.”