ABERDEENSHIRE-based energy production technology and services company Proserv has continued its acquisition drive with the purchase of Australian subsea engineering firm Velocious.

The value of the deal, which will see oil and gas and renewables specialist Proserv integrate more than 20 members of staff specialising in intervention, tooling, engineering innovation and project management into its business, was not disclosed.

Proserv said the acquisition of Perth, Western Australia-based Velocious increased its talent pool to more than 1900 employees and reinforced its position as a leader in drilling and subsea innovation. It highlighted Velocious's expertise in intervention on subsea production equipment.

Westhill-based Proserv has been expanding in the renewable energy sector with a focus on offshore wind, as well as pursuing growth in its core oil and gas technology and services business.

Proserv's chief executive officer, David Lamont, was last week named Ernst & Young Scotland Entrepreneur of the Year 2013.

The Velocious deal comes about six months after Proserv acquired US company Total Instrumentation & Controls, taking on its 300 members of staff. Proserv took on Weatherford's subsea controls subsidiaries during 2012, in a deal which also added about 300 staff.

Mr Lamont said: "As we have shown in the past, we are always looking to invest in companies which strengthen and diversify our suite of products and services."