ABERDEEN-based Petroleum Technology Company plans to increase sales and operations staff to capitalise on strong activity levels in the North Sea.

Tom Norland, managing director of the PTC UK operation said: "We continue to invest in Aberdeen on the back of significant North Sea basin activity — operators of all scales are investing in technology to secure asset integrity and maximise recovery offshore."

The Norwegian-owned company has increased turnover from £1m to £8m in the last three years.

With around 30 employees, it also sees scope to win increased business overseas in areas like North America and the Middle East.

A study by accountancy giant Ernst & Young published last week found the oil services sector generated £35bn revenues for the UK in 2012. Around half the 1600 UK-registered firms were based in Scotland.