PLEXUS, the Aberdeen-based oil services engineering business, has won a £2.5 million contract from Statoil Petroleum. Under the deal, Plexus will supply equipment for two exploration wells in the Norwegian continental shelf. Revenues are expected to commence in the third quarter of 2014 and the contract period is expected to extend over a two and a half year period. So far this year, Plexus has announced six contracts to supply similar equipment to oil and gas operators. Shares in the company rose by 15.5p, or 8.3 per cent, to close at 202p. Newspaper giant Gannett disappoints A DECLINE in newspaper advertising dragged down American media group Gannett's second-quarter results. Higher broadcast, digital and subscription revenue could not offset falls in newspaper advertising declines at the company which owns the Herald and Sunday Herald in Scotland as well as many regional titles in England and Wales. Total revenue was flat at $1.3 billion (£845m), below analysts" average forecasts. Second-quarter net income at the group, which owns USA Today, fell 5.2 per cent to $113.6m. German IT firm to expand in Glasgow GERMAN technology company Itelligence has unveiled plans for an £800,000 expansion of its office in Glasgow. The Frankfurt-listed firm currently has 48 staff in Scotland and aims to grow its headcount by 30 per cent over the next three years. Justin Brading, managing director of Itelligence UK, said: "We are investing in our UK solution centre because we believe there is a high demand by both midsize and the smaller corporate organisations for local rather than offshore support. Having UK consultants is highly attractive to the market place. Oilgen hires expert in shale gas flows ENGINEERING firm Oilgen has hired a shale gas expert as the Aberdeen-based outfit gears up for further expansion. Ismail Labed, who is completing his doctorate on shale gas reservoir flow at the Robert Gordon University, will become a reservoir engineer. Managing director Laurent Schirrer said: "Natural gas production from shale rocks is booming in America as this is a reliable, affordable, cleaner and responsibly-produced energy and we are anticipating a strong demand for our expertise. Ismail's expert knowledge in the area is a great asset.