Aberdeen-based global engineering firm John Wood Group said its first-half revenue rose 15% to $2.9 billion, with good growth in all business units, and adjusted EBITDA rose 6% to $195 million in the six months ended June 30.

Wood said its headcount was up 5% to around 35,600 people.

In a trading update Wood Group said its order book at June 30 was around $6 billion, up 3% on a constant currency basis and excluding its Gulf of Mexico business.

Significant contract wins in the first half included a $250 million contract extension with a major producer in South-East Asia for operations and brownfield engineering services, a large engineering services contract with Euro Manganese for sustainable mineral processing, a life sciences engineering contract in the US with GSK worth around $50 million, and expansion support for Chevron’s Renewable Energy Group’s biofuel facility.

The firm said it expects to generate positive free cash flow in the second half of 2023, and made no change to full year expectations.

It said it is on track to deliver positive free cash flow in 2024, as previously guided.

Wood Group CEO Ken Gilmartin said: “We are making good progress in delivering on the growth strategy we outlined last November.

“Trading shows continued good growth and margins in line with our expectations.

“We have won a number of significant contracts in energy, minerals and life sciences during the period, all testament to the exciting position Wood holds in its key growth markets.

“As we look ahead, we are confident of our delivery both for the full year and medium term, including a return to generating positive free cash flow.”