Mirage Machines, an Acteon Company, has invested a seven figure sum in the launch of a subsea-focussed engineering research and development subsidiary for North America in Houston, Texas.

Mirage Subsea is delivering Mirage Machines' on-site machining technology including industry-leading subsea diamond wire cutting machines and hot-tapping equipment, along with ROV tooling and solutions to clients across the region, focussed on the Gulf of Mexico.

The base, located at Jackrabbit Road in the north-west of the city, will also provide technologies for refineries and petrochemical plants onshore, including flange-facing, milling and pipecutting equipment.

Mirage Subsea has been established with an initial staff of five operating from an engineering workshop and stores facility covering 10,000 square feet.

It has already secured specialist solution deals with a major oil and gas operator in the Gulf, with Diamond Wire Saws delivered for use in flow line works within days of the technology arriving in the US.

And in the UK, Mirage has already extended its headquarters and manufacturing and engineering facilities in Derby, to respond to rising market demand for its machines.

Richard Silk, managing director of Mirage Machines, says: "The North American market is a huge prospect for us given the continuous requirement for technologies for deepwater intervention projects, and ongoing maintenance and refurbishment programmes in topside and subsea operations.

"Led by general manager Tim Sheehan, who is well known in the Gulf, Mirage Subsea is already providing a wide range of technology from stock, field-proven in live operations for major operators and service companies across the UKCS and in South East Asia.

"There is a growing awareness in the Gulf that buying-in machining technologies which can deliver consistent, pin-point accuracy in all environments is an investment worth making rather than deploying older, less reliable equipment.

Tags: Mirage Machines