Features

Several of the largest field developments on the NCS saw the light of day in the 1980s. The biggest of them all was the veritable troll, which became famed far beyond the country’s borders.

Underwater technology occupies a key place in the conquest of the NCS. Progress in this area really picked up speed in the 1990s, and Norway ranks today as a leading exporter of subsea solutions.

A new phase in Norwegian oil history began in the 2000s, when a number of new companies appeared on the NCS. They brought creativity, innovative thinking and eagerness to explore. But safety requirements remain unchanged – regardless of size.

New areas of the Barents Sea were opened in the 2010s, important knowledge gaps were closed and exploration set new records. The coldest part of the NCS is now hotter than ever – because of a war.

The early 2020s is a hectic time on the NCS, with the level of activity rising, a record number of developments on the way and a fight over the best brains. In these conditions, the PSA wants attention given to capacity and competence.

Norway’s oil history is not only about big structures and engineering skills, but also about the creation of a safety regime – about regulations and accidents, audits and triumphs, the Norwegian model, and trust and responsibility.