Trading Statement

Wood Group (John) PLC
23 December 2003


John Wood Group PLC: Pre-Close Trading Update

John Wood Group PLC ('the Group') issues the following pre-close trading update
in relation to the year ended 31 December 2003.  The preliminary announcement of
the 2003 results will be made on 8 March 2004.

The Group is an international energy services company with leading market
positions in engineering, production support, well support and industrial gas
turbine overhaul and repair services to the oil & gas, and power generation
industries worldwide.

It is anticipated that the Group's 2003 revenues will increase in line with
expectations and EBITA1 will be marginally ahead of last year, principally
reflecting the impact of difficult market conditions in the Power industry on
the Group's Gas Turbine Services division.

Engineering & Production Facilities

Engineering & Production Facilities is expected to deliver a satisfactory
performance in 2003.  Engineering enjoyed high activity levels throughout the
year due to a strong contract workload, which included contracts awarded in the
period such as Benguela Belize in offshore Angola, Kikeh in Asia Pacific and
Coro Coro in offshore Venezuela.  However, as indicated in the Interim Statement
in September, a number of the larger deepwater projects are currently
experiencing longer than anticipated delays in achieving sanction and this is
now expected to reduce Engineering & Production Facilities revenues and EBITA in
2004.  Prospects for 2005 remain encouraging.

In Production Facilities, contract awards included major 5 year contracts with
both Total and Talisman in the North Sea, and in new markets significant
developments included a contract with Marathon in Equatorial Guinea and the
recent award of a 5 year contract by Shell in Brunei to a Wood Group led joint
venture. Production Facilities expects to see continuing growth opportunities,
particularly in new markets.

Well Support

Well Support is expected to deliver a much improved performance in 2003,
marginally ahead of expectations.  Pressure Control is continuing to extend its
presence outside the US and ESP has recently won its most significant contract
in Russia.  Overall, Well Support should continue to provide good growth in
2004.

Gas Turbine Services

Gas Turbine Services is anticipated to show good revenue growth in 2003.
However, the ongoing problems in the Power market, particularly in North
America, have reduced margins and EBITA is now expected to be significantly
lower than 2002. The usually strong fourth quarter has been disappointing, with
lower than expected workshop activity and margins.

No market recovery is assumed in 2004 but reasonable revenue and EBITA growth is
anticipated from a number of organic developments. However, the timing of any
recovery in margins is still difficult to predict.

Associate company

Following an assessment of the carrying value of our 30% associate company
interest, the entire investment of approximately $15m will be provided for as an
exceptional item in 2003.  Following this charge, the Group will cease to equity
account for its 30% interest from 1 January 2004 and this should have a small
positive impact on earnings per share.

Sir Ian Wood, Chairman and Chief Executive, said, 'Engineering and Production
Facilities, and Well Support are expected to deliver a good performance in 2003.
However, the low margins in Gas Turbines Services are expected to result in
Group 2003 EBITA being only marginally ahead of last year.  Looking to 2004, we
believe we will see continuing growth in Well Support and some recovery in Gas
Turbine Services, but continuing contract delays in deepwater engineering are
likely to persist and consequently hold back our overall performance.

'Our medium term strategy remains valid and robust - we continue to gain market
share in key target markets and achieve good revenue growth from both
acquisitions and organic developments. We are obviously disappointed in the
slower recovery in the US power market and contract delays in deepwater
engineering.  However, we believe these are fundamentally strong markets and the
Group is well positioned to deliver good medium term growth.'


Notes:

1 EBITA represents operating profit (including the share of joint ventures)
before deduction of goodwill amortisation and share of associates.


For further information contact -


John Wood Group PLC
Alan Semple                                                [phone]
Nick Gilman                                                + 44 (0) 1224 851 404
Carolyn Smith                                              + 44 (0) 1224 851 099

Brunswick Group Limited
Patrick Handley/ Katya Reynier                             + 44 (0) 20 7404 5959



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