A NORTH-EAST offshore energy body has signed a deal to expand work between the UK and South Korea.

NOF Energy, the UK business development organisation for oil, gas and offshore renewables, has announced Korea Offshore and Ship Building Association (KOSHIPA) as a global partner.

The organisation, which has offices near Durham City, says the deal will help increase co-operation between the two countries’ offshore supply chains.

The announcement follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding.

NOF’s global partner network aims to support collaboration across international markets, and features more than 22 bodies from countries such as Canada, China, Russia and the US.

Joanne Leng MBE, NOF Energy deputy chief executive, said: “South-East Asia offers real potential for British suppliers.

“The South Korean oil and gas sector is keen to engage with our supply chain as it looks to enhance its engineering and fabrication services with innovations and technology developed in the UK.

“KOSHIPA is a very like-minded organisation and is a perfect addition to our strong portfolio of global partners.

“We are delighted to have signed this new agreement and look forward to developing a close working relationship going forward.”

She added the Korean delegation included Samsung Heavy Industries, Hyundai Heavy Industries, Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Company, and supply chain companies Kangrim, TSP, Samkang M and T, Stauff Korea.

KOSHIPA represents a cluster of shipyard operators and supply chain businesses, and was founded as a non-profit organisation in 1977 at a time when the South Korean ship building industry was making its first significant inroads into the market.

The South Korean offshore industry has grown dramatically since 2005, with its oil and gas sector experiencing expansion and growth.

One of its key exports is the supply of large, high specification floaters for drilling and production to the global markets.

Earlier this month, The Northern Echo revealed how NOF had supported its member Pipeline Precision Engineering on a major contract.

The company, based in Skelton, east Cleveland, carried out fabrication and installation work on additional storage for Harvest Energy, which supplies more than ten per cent of the UK's motor fuel requirements and operates a plant at Seal Sands, near Billingham.