Sparrows Offshore LLC (formerly Energy Cranes LLC), the Houston-based offshore crane, fluid power and pipe-laying equipment specialist, has signed contracts in 2010 worth more than $8m. With the new work, the company plans to increase its U.S. workforce by six percent, creating onshore and offshore jobs in the group's Houston and Louisiana operating bases. The new contracts cover crane refurbishment projects for long-term rental projects and new crane sales internationally and in the Gulf of Mexico and have been awarded by customers including Shell, Chevron, Apache, Total, Superior Energy, Transocean, EOG, Nippon, Maritech, Northstar and K-Mesco.