NODE

Norwegian Offshore & Drilling Engineering

Southern Norway’s industry was a pioneer in the development of the Norwegian continental shelf. In 1972, Sverre Walther Rostoft, the Minister of Industry at the time, took the initiative to form Oil Industry Services A/S, which became the first umbrella company to take on assignments in the new industry. Hence, we have extensive experience in working within a network. After going through all the phases of building modules, connecting, engineering, maintenance, etc., the group now stands as a world leading technology group.
NODE was formed in 2005. At the beginning there were 29 companies with a turnover of 5 billion NOK; approx. 80 employees; and an order backlog of 2.5 billion NOK.
In 2007, the group consisted of 45 companies. The turnover had increased to approx. 30 billion NOK; the number of employees to approx. 5000; and the order backlog was 2.5 billion NOK.

In 2008, the group is comprised of 47 companies. The turnover will be approx. 35 billion NOK; the number of employees is approx. 6000; and the order backlogs are approx. 60 billion NOK.
This exceptional situation has developed because the entire global fleet of drilling rigs was built in the 1970s. It is not equipped to cope with the huge technological challenges deep beneath the sea, or the Arctic/Antarctic.
What started as a boom in 2005 is now described as a lasting market that will continue for many years to come.

We stand as a world leader in three areas:

1. Drilling: Over many years, Aker Solutions (MH) and National Oilwell Varco have developed from being suppliers of drilling equipment to becoming suppliers of complete systems for drilling. TTS Sense is also growing rapidly and is the third company within the same area. The whole drilling process of mud handling and material management has been mastered. Advanced IT expertise handles information from the well to optimise the drilling process. Drilling equipment has developed from being simple machinery to robot systems for the handling of materials. Images from the drilling crown are analysed and the results decide where the drilling process is to continue. Today, the group controls approx. 95% of the market worldwide.
2. Loading/unloading and mooring equipment: APL and Aker Solutions (Pusnes) in Arendal deliver both system packages. One transfers liquids and hydrocarbons from the seabed to an installation on the surface of the sea, and also from the installation to land. The other is a mooring system between the seabed and the surface of the sea. Today, the group controls over 90% of the market worldwide.
3. Active Heave Compensated Cranes. National Oilwell Varco and MacGregor (Hydramarine) are currently the two main suppliers of the highly advanced cranes that handle large loads on the seabed to compensate for the movement on the surface of the sea. Today, the group controls more than 70% of the market worldwide.

The vision of the NODE project is to develop a group culture that will contribute to the survival of the industry as a world leading group in the region; despite competition. This implies that the industry’s owners see it as strategically interesting to develop it more in our region. Moreover, this means that the group must become more visible; regionally, nationally and globally so that qualified workers seek out the region.