What was once Aker Solutions is now two separate trading companies, following the demerger of the Norwegian offshore contracting powerhouse.

Designed to reduce corporate complexity, the demerger rearranges Aker into two distinct units. Aker Solutions now comprises subsea, umbilicals, engineering, maintenance and modifications operations in one, with this to focus in particular on provision of deepwater and subsea oil services, since subsea and field design areas share the same customers and main markets, the contractor says.

Akerstor, meanwhile, is the newly-created oilfield services business that will provide drilling technologies.

Louis Araujo, chief executive of the new Aker Solutions, said the separation created a simpler and more focused Aker Solutions. “We are winning market share in subsea, particularly in Brazil and West Africa, and we are the leader in offshore engineering and maintenance and modifications services in the North Sea market,” he said.