UPDATE 2-SBM Offshore Q1 sales up, sees stable 2009 profit

* Q1 sales rise 10 pct to $681 mln

* Sees 2009 net profit in range of 2008 level

* Saw a distinct decline in sector activity

* Order book $8.6 billion, unchanged from last year

(Adds CEO's comments, details))

By Aaron Gray-Block

AMSTERDAM, May 13 (Reuters) - Dutch maritime engineering group SBM Offshore NV (SBMO.AS: Quote, Profile, Research) reported a 10 percent rise in first-quarter sales and said despite uncertain market conditions it expects 2009 net profit to be in the range of last year.

The company, which builds and operates floating production, storage and offloading platforms (FPSO's) for oil firms, had first quarter sales of $681 million and said it expects full-year sales of between $2.8 billion and $3 billion.

"The current business environment and uncertain market conditions in respect of new orders as well as continuing difficulties on delivery of some of our current projects make a firm full year forecast difficult at this time," Chief Executive Tony Mace said in a statement on Wednesday.