Great Yarmouth-based energy firm Proserv has secured two major contract wins for more than £15m worth of work in the North Sea.

The firm, which works with the larger independent oil and gas firms, has clinched the first deal with TAQA for the control of subsea wells approximately 16.5km from the Tern platform in the Cladhan field.

Proserv will implement a system to control three subsea wells as part of a significant development project for the company to provide a high-speed communication network.

The second contract with an undisclosed operator, also involves work to control subsea wells using a fibre-optic communications system.

All manufacturing work is to take place at its Great Yarmouth facility.

Proserv employs more than 1,600 people worldwide from 30 sites including 220 staff in Yarmouth.

The move comes as the company is predicting annual growth of 20pc and anticipates it needs to take on between 40 and 50 staff at Yarmouth.

And it is looking to move to a new purpose-built site, with Beacon Park believed to be under consideration.

Keving Snowling, region president for southern UK and Europe, said: 'I think it's going to be another step change for the business in Yarmouth. We need to bring in another 40 to 50 people to meet the business demands. We have got training programmes and apprenticeship programmes running through the business.

'The fact that we can increase our head count by another 40 brings a huge change to the way this business is run and the way we have to operate.'

David Lamont, chief executive, said: 'Both contract wins reflect Proserv's industry-leading position and strong track record for delivering high-value integrated technology systems on time and within budget.

'As a result, we continue to expand both globally and particularly in the North Sea where our strong and expanding client base is testament to our levels of technology and service.

'We look forward to working with two leading operators in the region.'