Kent, a wholly owned subsidiary of Nesma & Partners, has signed a binding agreement to acquire Exceed (XCD) Holdings Limited, a leading provider of well management, sub-surface, and decommissioning engineering services with operations in over 40 countries. This acquisition marks a significant milestone in Kent’s growth journey, underscoring its ability to deliver comprehensive lifecycle solutions across the energy sector.

Exceed brings more than two decades of experience, with a strong track record of over 70 wells drilled and more than 150 decommissioned. As one of only three licensed UK Well Operators, the company is widely recognized for its technical expertise and established client relationships across the international energy market.

“Our agreement to acquire Exceed is a bold step into the future of responsible energy operations,” said John Gilley, CEO of Kent. “Exceed’s specialist capabilities in well and reservoir management, coupled with their strong reputation in decommissioning, complement our vision of offering full lifecycle services to our clients. Together, we will be uniquely positioned to help the industry navigate energy security, net-zero mandates, and the safe retirement of offshore assets.”

The acquisition comes at a time when the global offshore decommissioning market is expected to double in size by 2035. By combining Exceed’s proven technical delivery with Kent’s global reach and execution strength, the company will be equipped to deliver safe, sustainable, and cost-effective solutions for clients worldwide.

Ian Mills, Managing Director of Exceed, commented: “We’ve built Exceed over 20 years with a commitment to technical excellence, innovation, and client trust. Joining forces with Kent is the natural next step. It gives us the financial backing and global reach to scale our expertise to new markets and opportunities, while preserving the same culture, entrepreneurial spirit, and values that define us.”

The transaction is expected to be completed later this year. It follows Kent’s recent acquisition of Sudlows Consulting, marking its entry into the data center sector, and further demonstrates Kent’s strategy to diversify across high-growth markets while reinforcing its position as a forward-looking global engineering partner.