A SUBSEA operator has secured a contract to support a Baltic Sea energy scheme.

DeepOcean will work on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project.

Developers say the 750-mile long venture will transport gas between the Russian Baltic Sea and German Baltic coast, with Darlington-based DeepOcean overseeing ploughing work to lay a path for the giant pipeline.

Ploughing is due to begin this year, with completion planned for 2019.

The deal also covers project management and surveying assignments.

Andrew Piasecki, commercial director for cable installation and trenching, said the contract was further proof of the business’ increasing marketplace reputation.

He added: “We will deploy our plough to bury the pipelines, building upon our extensive experience in the offshore trenching market and enhancing our position as a trusted partner for challenging burial projects.

“We look forward to supporting our client in delivering this key project safely and to specification.”

The deal represents another coup for DeepOcean, which runs its Darlington operations from a site on the town’s Coniscliffe Road.

The firm previously revealed it had secured a contract to install cables on the Merkur offshore wind farm, based off the German coast.

At the time, bosses said the company would dig trenches, lay cabling and install power supply protection systems for the 66-turbine development.

It has also been called upon to carry out trenching and backfilling work on 56km of offshore power cabling in the United Arab Emirates, and install cabling on ScottishPower Renewables' East Anglia One offshore wind farm project.

The business complements its Darlington office with a marine site in South Bank, near Middlesbrough, which is used to prepare underwater equipment for use.