NEWS

The ultimate societal-industrial race is well underway to develop the future’s Global Knowledge Hubs that promote expertise, cooperation, and innovation – hubs that are on the same level as the Life Science Hub in Boston, the Oil & Gas Hub in Houston, the Silicon Valley in California or the Singapore Maritime Hub.  Bergen has long been a part of the race for excellence.

The Center for Maritime and Offshore Operations

Seizing the initiative, Business Region Bergen (BRB) and a number of its cooperative partners took up the challenge to establish a permanent venue where industry can work closely with research institutions in further developing technologies and processes that result in improved products and services – dedicated to best practices of industrial management and maintenance.

Together with NCE Subsea, Maritimt Forum and HOG Energy, and with the full support of Innovation Norway and the County of Hordaland, the result of this initiative will be the establishment of the “Center for Maritime and Offshore Operations” in 2012.

This Center combine the strengths of the Oil & Gas, Maritime, Subsea and the rapidly developing Offshore Wind sector – sectors where the region is considered to be the country’s leader within industrial operations, maintenance and modification. Let us now take a closer look at the different industrial sectors that will make up the core of the soon to be established “Center for Maritime and Offshore Operations”:

 A Closer Look: Oil & Gas in the Bergen Region

Bergen is the capital of the county of Hordaland – a county that produces 80% of the crude oil exported from Norway – a country that is the world’s third largest exporter of crude oil.  The oil and gas cluster here covers the entire value chain, from exploration and development, production and operation, to decommissioning.

The industry develops new technology and competence to increase oil and gas production, and simultaneously maintain the strict regulations for health, safety and environment. With the far-ranging successes being achieved, it is clearly evident that the skills, experience and technology developed here are being utilized by the international oil and gas industry all over the world. Raising the percentage levels of oil extraction while at the same time minimizing the impact on the local environment has always been a focus here.

A Closer Look: Topside Offshore Operations

The four-decade long Oil & Gas Adventure that began in 1969 has not only resulted in this small country being among the world leaders in oil & gas exports, it has also had a synergy effect that has reverberated with technological areas that include sub-sea operations, deep-well drilling as well as within the demanding area of topside operations. Effective drilling, production and transport of oil and gas are dependent upon the 100% efficiency of all part of the operation even in the harshest of environments.

Maintenance and support, on-site modifications, inspection and repairs, harbor support services, drilling solutions and other activities make the difference between success and failure on the high seas. Much of the strength and success the Norwegian Oil & Gas Industry is the direct result of the necessity to perform in difficult conditions, rough seas, deep waters, and other uncertainties – resulting in this country’s expertise being recognized around the world.

A Closer Look: The Subsea Cluster

Since the early 1980s the Subsea industry in the region has expanded into one of the world’s most complete environments for Subsea technology. In the Bergen region you are forced to deal with the seas and the weather, so the industry has been built around this to use it to an advantage. Adversity has created a very powerful force in the industry today in the region.

Successful business thrives here, including one of the world´s leading Subsea sectors well represented by the NCE (Norwegian Centres of Expertise) Subsea, a close cooperation between industry, research, education and governmental organizations and companies with more than 80 companies oil & gas industry. 

NCE Subsea was established in order to contribute to the further development of the cluster, and now, more than 80 companies and organizations form the membership of NCE Subsea, including suppliers of services and high-tech products, educational institutions, R&D organizations, and authorities in the region. 

A Closer Look: Offshore Wind Power

The technological expertise gained from the “Oil & Gas Adventure” that began in 1969 have provided the innovative and collaborative basis for the development of what is becoming an international leader within renewable energy areas that include offshore wind power. Offshore wind power is one of the fastest growing markets in Europe, offshore wind is stimulated by EU’s 2020 energy policies and objectives. The European offshore wind market is growing steadily. During the next decade, approx. 30% annual growth is expected, and the Center for Maritime and Offshore Operations will be a focus point in the development of the Norwegian efforts within this area.

A Closer Look: The Bergen Maritime Cluster

Norway has one of the largest and most comprehensive maritime clusters in the world. With the fifth largest fleet in the world, Norway is well positioned for continued success with a strong industry that encompasses everything from one of the world’s largest fleets to shipbuilding that is redefining design, functionality, and commitment to the environment. 

A world leading maritime cluster operates out of the Bergen region, with over 500 ships in the Bergen fleet, approximately 1,500 maritime related companies, and an annual turnover of tens of billions of dollars. Working closely with the national government and the Maritim21 project – a research and innovation strategy with a focus on seven innovation areas, the Bergen Maritime Cluster is well positioned to be a major power in the continued surge of the Norwegian maritime industry into the future.

The Strength of the Human Mind

One absolute strength here in the Bergen Region is the vast education and research network, with 30,000 students attending schools such as the University of Bergen (UiB), the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration (NHH), Bergen University College (HiB) and thousands of researchers and employees at such key institutions as the Christian Michelsen Research (CMR), UniResearch, Institute of Marine Research (IMR), the Nansen Centre and the Haukeland University Hospital.

The establishment of the “Center for Maritime and Offshore Operations” is an ambitious project and represents the intention of Business Region Bergen, its close partners, the national government and regional authorities in a continuing vigilance to “raise the bar” in terms of quality, innovation and success.

The Strength of Cooperation

Truly a group effort, The Center Board of Directors include members are from the strongest of companies and institutions in the Bergen Region, including Reinertsen AS, Aker Solutions Subsea, Aibel AS, Christian Michelsen Research AS, the Bergen University College, Odfjell Drilling, Bergen Group,Rolls-Royce Marine, DNV, Deloitte AS,  CGGVeritas/CGGVeritas Eidesvik Shipmanagment and Aker Solutions AS.

According to Chairman of the Board Knut Vindenes from Reinertsen AS: “We are now working hard to establish a unique profile that positions the Center as unique on the global scale and complements rather than conflicts with stakeholders or other centers.  A top priority is establishing specific services that generate income and ensure the Center for Maritime and Offshore Operations as a relevant and sought-after resource.”

Planning for this center is full-steam ahead setting its course on the opening in 2012 that will see to it that the vast knowledge and experience that has been accrued in the region and beyond is used to build national competence and solidify international collaboration that is dedicated to improvement, innovation and interaction with the global industrial and research environments.