INVERNESS-based oil and gas recruitment specialist Orion Group has won a multi-million pound contract to find engineering staff for Italian energy giant Eni. Privately-owned Orion was one of three firms engaged to provide staff to work for Eni in key overseas locations including, Oslo, Houston and Singapore. The company said it will provide engineering, construction and commissioning experts, with a focus on candidates with knowledge of floating liquefied natural gas technology.

Mike Wallace, group sales director at Orion, said: "In an uncertain jobs market it’s encouraging to see one of the world’s leading energy companies looking to recruit a significant number of new staff." Orion said its teams in the UK will be coordinating the resourcing effort. The company has offices around the world.