A CONTINGENT of British companies involved in the oil and gas sector will visit Perth next month to promote business opportunities and attend the Australasian Oil & Gas Exhibition and Conference, to be held at the Perth Convention Exhibition Centre. In all, 13 companies will undertake a trade mission to WA, supported by business development organisation NOF Energy, with a further 10 companies to present at the exhibition’s UK pavilion, from February 21 to 23. The mission aims to develop opportunities for British companies in a number of petroleum and energy projects currently being considered for development, including the proposed $2 billion North West Shelf extension project. A subsea workshop focusing on collaboration between UK and Australian industry will also be held, co-ordinated by the WA branch of the Society of Underwater Technology and sponsored by UK Trade & Investment. Participating companies will receive briefings from the Chamber of Minerals and Energy and Woodside, as well as visiting key companies, including Clough Engineering. British High Commissioner to Australia Helen Liddell will be a keynote speaker at the official opening of the conference, while UK director of trade in Australia David Turnbull will also be in Perth for the mission.