Orion chairman Alan Savage visited the city of Tianjin and signed the pioneering deal alongside General Manager of CNOOC Energy Technology & Service-Safety and Environmental Protection Co., Liu Huai Zeng.

The two companies announced the aim of the JV is to develop the talent resources service market and provide relevant personnel provision across CNOOC’s oil, gas and energy related projects throughout China and the rest of the world.

The JV Company, known as CNOOC Orion Technical Services Co., Ltd. has the capabilities to supply foreign and local workers with a wide range of expertise.

Speaking at the signing, Mr Savage said: “This deal marks the beginning of a new phase for Orion Group in China. We already have significant experience in China and the services of our staff in Shanghai are in high demand.

“To become the world’s first manpower supplier to CNOOC is a major milestone. We are looking forward to working with our partners in Tianjin to provide high quality staff for the many key projects in the CNOOC order book for 2017 and beyond.”

Mr Liu added: “We have been hoping to strike such an agreement for some time and believe we have found the perfect partner in Orion Group. CNOOC Orion Technical Services Co., Ltd will become the best of what our two companies can offer to the Chinese market.

“At CNOOC Energy Technology & Service-Safety and Environmental Protection Co. we value quality and strong results and we see this reflected in Mr Savage and his team. We look forward to seeing what the future brings.”

CNOOC is one of China’s largest national oil companies in the People’s Republic of China and its activities focus on the exploitation, exploration and development of crude oil and natural gas in offshore China.