IHS Buys Offshore Energy Specialist

Energy and environment intelligence specialist IHS has announced the acquisition of ODS-Petrodata (ODSP), which provides information about the offshore energy sector. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

IHS advises clients on energy, economics, geopolitical risk, sustainability and supply chain management. Headquartered in Englewood, CO, USA, it employs more than 4,400 people in more than 30 countries around the world. The ODSP buy follows that of technology analyst iSuppli Corporation, for which IHS paid around $95m last autumn. It also bought Emerging Energy Research for around $18m in February 2010 and Global Insight in September 2008.

Its latest acquisition, ODSP, was formed in 2002 but including predecessor companies dates its market intelligence services for the upstream oil and gas industry back to 1973. The firm supports commercial decision-makers with information about rigs, offshore field construction and marine support vessels, with market intelligence, market research, forecasting and consulting services. With offices in Oslo, Aberdeen, Singapore, Houston and Dubai, it has recently strengthened its offer with services relating to field development, marine and renewable energy data.

IHS Chairman and CEO Jerre Stead says the buy gives his customers in the energy industry 'critical information-driven solutions to manage the significant investments needed to explore, develop and produce offshore assets' and brings 'a highly synergistic product line' which 'strengthens IHS' presence with operators, contractors, oil service companies, equipment financing companies and equipment manufacturers.'

ODSP's President and CEO Per Christian Grytnes says the firms are 'an excellent fit': 'Our products and services extend IHS offerings to the upstream energy sector through provision of high quality data and research across the range of critical, high value offshore markets such as drilling rigs, marine and seismic vessels and field development operations.'

Web sites are at www.ihs.com and www.ods-petrodata.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.

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