This paper discusses the added value obtained in a joint business development (JBD) between an operator and a service company. The JBD is founded in a joint operations agreement that both parties formalized and signed in early 1996. This JBD is unique because of its structure, because of its systematic approach to improving quality and communication and to developing technology jointly to meet needs; and because of the resulting added value to both parties. The project was started in 1994 when the operator restructured its contract portfolio to achieve improved cost-efficiency and closer cooperation with suppliers and to reduce overall contract administration. This was to be done by both reducing the overall number of contractors and transferring increased responsibility to the service company. As a result Of the contract award, a joint operations agreement that focused on extensive cooperation was formalized and signed by critical suppliers and joint organizational structures were put in place. For a cooperative business structure to succeed, the ability to measure progress is critical. As a result, initial focus was put on developing a novel measuring system, a "quality rating system" (QRS). This system, together with other nonconformity and health, safety, and environment (HSE) systems, is used by both parties to focus on quality and to optimize resource use. A system to identify gaps in behavior, communication, and expectations also was put in place. Once the measuring systems were operational, a Large-scale cooperative survey was conducted that focused on both technological and cooperational improvement opportunities. The results of this survey were used to establish project-specific quality action teams with representatives from both parties. This way of working together has resulted in demonstrated improvements that have given the parties added value in several critical areas. The process is under continuous development, and, on the basis of experience to date, the parties are preparing to take appropriate elements of the JBD process to the international arena.