The Aberdeen-based company, which opened its Perth office in 1997, said the move to create a permanent base in the region was underpinned by continuing strong growth in the South East Asian oil and gas industry.

Former IGL Perth marketing and safety manager Steve Heinemann has relocated to Malaysia, assuming responsibility for the strategic direction of IGL in the country.

Heinemann said the company has already won a number of contracts in the region, including projects in Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore.

The company is also working with the Malaysian Government-owned Petronas group on a technology transfer program and also was participating in the University of Malaya Chemical Engineering Department's student training program.