All posts by Margrethe Harboe

KSAT ka-band antennas part of new NASA network

Business News, Defense / Security

The NASA Near Space Network has integrated four antennas which are now operational. KSAT is contributing to the network with two ka-band antennas located in Svalbard and Punta Arenas.

NASA’s Near Space Network enables spacecraft exploring the solar system and Earth to send back essential science data for researchers and scientists to investigate and make profound discoveries.

KSAT is contributing with our 11,5m (tri band) S-X-Ka band antennas in Svalbard and Punta Arenas, Chile to this network. The NSN-Ka-band network is now operational and NASA developed the other two antennas in Virginia and Alaska.

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LNG to Play a Leading Role in the Energy Transition ABS Chairman, President and CEO Tells USCG Leaders

Business News, Energy

(HOUSTON) The critical role of LNG in meeting shipping’s decarbonization goals was detailed by Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman, President and CEO in a keynote speech to U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) leaders at the Liquefied Gas and Alternative Fuels Senior Executive Forum.

“We are going to have to begin to balance what we’re facing today, which is, essentially, how do we handle energy security relative to the short-term energy security challenge and the longer-term energy transition? LNG is going to play a leading role in this. However, for such a key fuel for the energy transition, it is important to recognize it is itself a fuel in transition. And we will need it to not only evolve but to address and mitigate the risks inherent in its operation today if we are to reach our 2050 objectives,” said Wiernicki.

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Regjeringen: Nå kommer klimapartnerskapene med næringslivet

Business News, Government

Klima- og miljøminister Espen Barth Eide (Ap) og næringsminister Jan Christian Vestre (Ap) har signert en intensjonsavtale om å inngå klimapartnerskap med næringslivet. Avtalens øvrige parter er arbeidsgiverorganisasjonene NHO, Virke, Spekter, KS, Kystrederiene og Norges Rederiforbund, og arbeidstakerorganisasjonene LO, YS, Akademikerne og Unio.

– For å nå klimamålene og få til faktiske utslipp, må vi gå fra ord til handling. Tettere samspill og sterke partnerskap er avgjørende for å få fart på den grønne omstillingen i næringslivet, og ikke minst, lykkes med det grønne industriløftet, sier næringsminister Jan Christian Vestre.

Les hele artikkelen HER.

Equinor: Gas discovery in the Norwegian Sea

Business News, Energy

Equinor and partners Wintershall Dea and Petoro have made a commercial gas discovery in production licence 1128 estimated at between two and eleven billion standard cubic metres of recoverable gas, or about 12.6-69.2 million barrels of oil equivalent.

Exploration wells 6605/1-2 S&A in the Norwegian Sea were drilled by the Deepsea Stavanger drilling rig.

The Obelix Upflank discovery was made some 23 kilometres south of the Irpa gas discovery, and 350 kilometres west of Sandnessjøen.

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Whitmer visits Hydro headquarters in Norway as part of economic investment trip

Business News, Chemicals / Metals

OSLO, NORWAY — Governor Gretchen Whitmer visited Hydro’s headquarters as part of a five-day investment mission to Norway and Switzerland, focusing on attracting job-creating business investments, particularly in Michigan’s next-generation of automotive manufacturing and clean energy independence ecosystem. While meeting with Hydro, the governor thanked the company for choosing to construct a new facility in Cassopolis, where it will bring a new product line to support the electric vehicle market as well as other applications.  “The decision by Hydro to bring its new recycling technology to Michigan demonstrates how leading-edge, global companies are looking to Michigan to grow in the electric vehicle space,” said Gov. Whitmer. “We applaud Hydro’s commitment to Michigan and look forward to working with the company as it continues to develop electric vehicle and recycling technologies.”

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Yara CEO says green tech investors looking at U.S., not Europe

Business News, Trade

LONDON, Jan 17 (Reuters) – Europe is not providing sufficient incentives for companies such as fertiliser producer Yara (YAR.OL) to transition to green technologies in stark contrast to the United States, the chief executive of the Norwegian company said.

“From a business perspective it would make much more sense to expand in the U.S. and that is what is happening now across the board,” Svein Tore Holsether said in an interview.

Read full article here.

Top Takeaways from the U.S. Chamber’s 2023 State of American Business Address

Business News, Financial / Investment, Trade

In this year’s State of American Business keynote address, U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Suzanne P. Clark called for a commitment to an “Agenda for American Strength” that affirms America’s position as a global power for good and unleashes the innovating, problem-solving power of business to address society’s greatest challenges.

“Business is ready—we’re not waiting. We’re putting forward a plan, because that’s what business does…that’s why business works,” Clark said. “Today, the Chamber is calling for an ‘Agenda for American Strength.’ An agenda that will not only help us navigate the present moment but steer our country to the brighter, stronger future that we expect—and the next generation deserves.”

HERE are some top takeaways from Clark’s keynote address. (Click here to read the full speech transcript.)

Equilibrium — Scientists take steps toward ‘greener’ fertilizer

Business News, Chemicals / Metals

Scientists have set out to innovate a new type of ammonia that could help create “greener” fertilizer — and minimize the climate impacts of a ubiquitous but energy-intensive compound.

Industrial production of ammonia — a key ingredient in fertilizers — creates one of the world’s biggest chemical commodities but also takes a heavy toll on the environment.

Ammonia manufacturing consumes about 1 percent of all fossil fuels and unleashes 1 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions, chemists at the University of California, Berkeley, warned.

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Norway’s $30 Billion of Projects to Sustain Gas Flow to 2026

Business News, Energy

Norway will be able to sustain gas production at last year’s elevated level until at least 2026 thanks to 300 billion Norwegian kroner ($30 billion) of investment in new offshore fields.


“Only rarely have we seen so much oil and gas produced on the Norwegian shelf as was the case last year – and only rarely have we seen such significant investment decisions,” the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate said Monday in its annual report. “Norway has fortified its role as a predictable, long-term supplier of energy to Europe.”

 

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The Value of Confidentiality

AmCham News, Healthcare, ,

The Value of Confidentiality

A recent court ruling raises the question of confidentiality in Norway’s public procurement processes.

The Norwegian State procures goods and services in excess of NOK 600B per year. Most procurements are organized through competitive bids. The value of bid confidentiality thus becomes evident. Competition amongst bidders, for example on net price for a product or service, is meant to secure better value for taxpayer money in the short term. In the long run, competition drives innovation, access, and quality improvements.

The laws and regulations governing competition, trade secrets and confidentiality are somewhat similar throughout the European Economic Area. Therefore, a December 2022 Norwegian District Court ruling has gained attention well beyond Norway’s borders – where two US pharma companies lost a preliminary injunction plea to stop a tender bid issued by the hospital procurement agency LIS after several confidential net pricing leak incidents. While the Public Procurement Complaints Board (KOFA) stated that leaking of confidential net prices ruined the competition to the extent that the tender had to be cancelled, the District Court ruled otherwise. The ruling is one of very few, if not the only, examples in Europe where leaks of confidential net prices have had no consequences. Further, the ruling may have left industry with no legal recourse by establishing precedent on allowing de facto net price transparency despite legislation explicitly protecting such confidentiality.

"The ruling is one of very few, if not the only, examples in Europe where leaks of confidential net prices had no consequences."

Dr Muhammed "Mo" Ali

MSD Court Order (NO)

MSD Court Order (ENG)

Janssen-Cilag Court Order (NO)

The real question is to what extent this ruling has consequences across industries supplying the Norwegian State? One legal assessment argues that net prices may now be made public at the discretion of the State procurement body. It is also argued that, in the way the ruling is framed, suppliers who have been subjected to breach of net price confidentiality may hereafter have no legal recourse. If this holds true, no industry or supplier can be guaranteed confidentiality of their net prices. If the supplier operates in several markets, the ramifications of net price leaks in Norway may have far-reaching consequences.

Norway has ambitious plans to attract foreign investments and build industries to increase mainland exports by 50% by the end of this decade. However, the signals now being sent may not incentivize investments. While transparency is an obvious basis for any healthy business environment, confidentiality of key competitive assets in public procurement processes are equally as important. If not upheld, the State may risk not being offered the best prices on goods and services for fear of the prices not being kept confidential. 

"The real question is to what extent this ruling has consequences across industries supplying the Norwegian State?"

Dr Muhammed "Mo" Ali

Debates and political statements indicate that the matter of price confidentiality seems to be ideologically driven. Former Norwegian Competition Authority Chief Economist Kurt R. Brekke has commented that while deciding on net price transparency is a political choice, patients benefit when net prices are kept confidential. He pointed out better prices, faster access, and healthier competition between bidders as factors for why this is the case.

Currently, there is a growing concern that Norway is on its way to becoming a less regulated market. This time it was pharmaceuticals, but this is only one of many industries supplying the State. If this is contrary to what the Government wants to achieve, the business community needs tangible assurances that net prices and other trade secrets will be kept confidential in the future – and that breaches will have legal consequences. At the end of the day, this is about securing suppliers’ ability to provide the State with the best prices possible.

Dr Muhammed “Mo” Ali
Managing Director, MSD Norway AS
Member of the Board, AmCham Norway