Onshore engineering and construction revenues were, however, down and the London-listed company expects flat or modest profit growth this year.

Net profit for last year was $650 million, a 2.8% increase on the $632 million seen in 2012.

Revenues inched up 1.4% from $6.24 billion to $6.33 billion, but lower activity hit the onshore engineering and construction segment.

Petrofac has started 2014 with a record order backlog and has secured $3 billion in awards already since the start of the year.

Although