ENGINEERING firm Aker Kvaerner last night announced plans to create 50 jobs in the region by next year.

Kvaerner's Offshore Partner business, headquartered in Aberdeen, is opening a satellite office in Stockton.

AK already has its engineering services business based in Stockton, and the offshore office will be based there.

It will begin operating next month with 15 staff, servicing the offshore oil and gas sector. Numbers will increase to 50 in the spring, AK said.

"There will be a small number of people relocated from the Aberdeen office, with most of the recruitment coming via new employees from the region," it said in a statement.

The company is looking for professionals in the engineering and support service sectors to bring in new offshore business, and work with current customers.

Richard Strachan, operations director with Aker Kvaerner Offshore Partner, said: "In addition to servicing work arising from current and future clients, Aker Kvaerner intends to develop the office as a centre of engineering excellence to execute cross-border work for our Norweigian sister companies and clients."

Aker Kvaerner said it had a commitment to the Teesside area, as it has been based in Stockton for more than 100 years, with a wide range of industrial clients in the region.

The engineering service business provides support services, engineering and maintenance to chemical, nuclear, water, energy, pharmaceutical, and processing sectors.

It employs about 1,000 people in its offices off Bowesfield Lane in Stockton.

The firm employs more than 1,500 people in Aberdeen and Great Yarmouth.