Although Corus would not give a value for the contract, it said it was a "multi-million pound" deal. Corus Tubes will produce 312 km - about 77,000 tonnes - of steel linepipe which is expected to be laid early next year.

Corus Tubes energy business director Tim Bird said: "We are delighted to have been selected to manufacture and deliver linepipe for a ground-breaking development which is pushing the boundaries of exploration and production to access deeper depths and resources. “Corus Tubes has a strong track record of success in challenging offshore projects and our pipes are already in service in the deepest operational waters worldwide. This project reflects our leading edge capabilities in pipe production and delivery."

The linepipe, which is 18 inches in diameter, ranges from 19.1mm to 27.0mm thick.

Corus Tubes employs about 700 at its sites in Hartlepool. The division has three mills based in Hartlepool. In 2005 it ended production in Stockton after almost 150 years' operation on the same site and transferred its 84-inch pipe mill at Portrack, Stockton, to its sister site in Hartlepool.

Corus Tubes Energy Business recently signed up to a lean green manufacturing project that it hopes will slash its energy bills. The Hartlepool company aims to use its resources more efficiently and save on fuel bills as well as reduce its carbon footprint by using regional development agency One NorthEast's Energy Resource Efficiency (ERE) project.

The Corus Tubes business works with the world's leading oil and gas operators and contractors in all the major international hydrocarbon locations. Across the Tees Valley, Corus employs 2,700 staff. Earlier this year Indian conglomerate Tata Steel secured the takeover of Corus for £6.2bn.

Source: Evening Gazette