As Paris is an important hub for the oil and gas industry, mainly for Europe and West Africa, the new DNV office in the city is an important vehicle for establishing closer relationships with the major French players.

"We see Paris becoming an increasingly important centre for offshore-related business, with the major companies Total, Technip, Saipem, Stolt Offshore, Doris and Gaz de France all located there," said COO Elisabeth Harstad, at the opening ceremony in the Areva Tower, centrally located in La Défense, Paris, with Total and Technip as its closest neighbours.

Over the past couple of years, DNV has developed business operations with French offshore companies, and is currently involved in several of the deepwater development projects in West Africa.