WOOD has won contracts worth around $100 million (£80m) in total to work on windfarm projects in the USA.

The contracts will provide a boost for the Aberdeen-based engineering giant as it faces challenges in the key oil services market following the recent crude price plunge.

Oil and gas firms have announced plans for deep cuts in spending in response to the fall in the oil price, which reflects concerns about the impact of the coronavirus on demand.

Warning: North Sea faces 'premature end' as firms slash spending amid oil market mayhem

The fall was exacerbated by a price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia, which came to an end at the weekend when the countries and other exporters agreed to plans for record supply curbs.

Brent crude sold for $30.06 per barrel yesterday afternoon, down $1.68/bbl on the day amid concern the cuts agreed did not go far enough.

Wood made its name helping firms to develop and operate oil and gas facilities in areas such as the North Sea. It has moved to reduce its reliance on the market under the leadership of chief executive Robin Watson. This has involved expanding in areas such as environmental engineering.

North Sea oil services giant cuts jobs and dividend 

The company said the windfarm contract awards in the US showed it was generating momentum in the US renewables market.

The awards cover projects in states stretching from Oregon in the north west of the USA to Kansas in the Midwest.

The projects involve sites that will house more than 100 wind turbines in total.

Wood said the projects will involve 400 people and take up to 12 months to deliver.

Earlier this month the company said it had started cutting staff and putting employees on furlough as it looked to save cash in response to the Covid-19 coronavirus crisis, without detailing how the cuts will impact on its operations in the North Sea.

Wood shares closed down 23.7p, at 200p.

The costs of the crude price plunge must be shared fairly

The Brent crude price fell from $52/bbl to an 18-year-low of less than $20/bbl after Saudi Arabia and Russia differed about how to respond to the impact of the coronavirus on demand.

It rose to around $35/bbl last week after President Trump fuelled hopes they would agree to make deep cuts in production.

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