Rental initiative and international focus boosts nitrogen pump specialist

Prior Power Solutions, the leading UK manufacturer of premium pumping equipment for the offshore oil and gas sectors, is gearing up for significant growth in 2026 on the back of record results over the past 18 months.

The long-established Great Yarmouth business enjoyed unprecedented demand for its high-calibre nitrogen pumps from markets across the world, notably in South America, west Africa and Australia.

As a result, it more than doubled its combined sales and rentals of nitrogen pumps while securing sales of three new fluid pumps and two hydraulic power units. The increased business has led to a 10% year-on-year increase in the workforce.

Aside from their inherent quality, one of the major attractions of the pumps produced at Prior Power Solutions’ 10,000sq m site is the compactness of their design, helping operators maximise the efficiency of their oil rigs and platforms, where deck space is at a premium. James Rix, managing director of Prior Power Solutions, said core to the record performance in 2025 was the introduction of a rental business, launched with £1 million of investment. A further £3.3m will be made available during 2026 as the company doubles the number of pumps available for rental.

“The impact of our nitrogen pump rental offering has proven to be a genuine step change for the business,” said Mr Rix “It has improved our margins and opened the door to repeat and long-term customer relationships. It demonstrates our ability to identify opportunities, invest decisively, and execute effectively.”

The rental business proved to be hugely popular and highly profitable, with early customers in several of the big global energy marketplaces, including Europe, North Africa, South America, the Gulf of Mexico and Australia.

On the back of the initial success, Prior is now seeing increasing levels of interest from energy companies based in the Far East, central Asia and eastern Europe. It is also witnessing a growth in enquiries about a combined rental and purchase model.

Adrian Sharman, sales director at Prior Power Solutions, confirmed nitrogen pump manufacturing was at an all-time high, with the 180k model leading Prior’s drive into the global energy sector and Africa finishing top of the 2025 export league table, taking about 40% of total exports. “All our rental nitrogen pumps are less than two years old in a market where a lot of similarly priced product is anywhere up to 15 years old.

“So we’re offering good-as-new, state-of-the-art equipment at highly competitive rates and with all the reassurance that comes from dealing directly with the original manufacturer who knows the product inside-out. That’s a compelling story.”