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Norway invests in deep geothermal energy
The Research Council of Norway has granted NOK 24 million to the four-year project NEXT-Drill, in which scientists and industry
will develop the technology and tools needed to produce geothermal heat from the earth.
Geothermal heat is available all over the world, and is a clean, stable, inexhaustible, and “weather-proof” source of energy. At our latitudes, the ground temperature rises by about 20 oC per kilometre into the crust. Power from this source of energy could play a significant role in the global green energy mix.
With its strong and innovative oil industry, Norway is in a unique position to capture geothermal heat, and drilling technology has evolved significantly in the course of the past ten years, as oil and gas deposits become more and more difficult to access. NEXT-Drill does not primarily concern deep drilling, but will form the basis for it in the future. The focus is rather on more efficient drilling and new methods of drilling in hard rock.
Industrial competence project
The expert group that is going to develop and experimentally test wells and drilling technology includes scientists from SINTEF,
NTNU, IRIS and the University of Stavanger. The vision is that the group will act as a global centre of expertise in drilling
and well technology for both conventional and deep geothermal energy. (www.egbu.no)
A number of Norwegian groups are already focusing on deep geological energy, and several of them are collaborating with the new project.
NEXT-Drill is a industrial competence project and it will offer a basis for close cooperation between the participating research
institutes and universities. The industrial consortium includes energy companies Statoil and Statnett, Atlas Copco Scoroc,
the leading Swedish manufacturer of equipment for drilling in hard rock, and a number of Norwegian entrepreneur and technology
companies such as Resonator, Norhard, Pen-Rock and Rock Energy. SINTEF is coordinating the project.
Source: Nortrade, 5.1.2012
Kongsberg Maritime simulators continue to lead the way with multilpe new DNV approvals
A total of 14 Kongsberg Maritime Engine Room Simulator models received new Det Norske Veritas (DNV) Statements of Compliance
in December 2011. The approvals are according to the revised standards laid out in DNV – Standard for Certification of Maritime
Simulators No. 2.14 January 2011, which is based on the requirements of STCW Convention, Regulation I/12 and include the new
2010 amended convention that came into force from January 1st 2012.
Kongsberg Maritime is the first maritime simulation supplier to be certified to this level, reflecting the company’s position as a technology leader in the field of Engine Room Simulation. The new Type Approvals, which are valid through 15th December 2016, were awarded to the Kongsberg Maritime range of Neptune Engine Room Simulator models, including the new RT Flex and Diesel Electric Dual Fuel models (full list below).
Kongsberg Maritime has also received additional Class S approval for six of the approved Neptune Engine Room Simulator models, which states the inclusion of significant new requirements for the training of marine electricians.
The Thermal Power Plant (TPP) and the Gas Turbine trainer also received Class S approval. The Gas Turbine model is certified for simulating operation and maintenance of particular machinery equipment, while the TPP is certified for engineering scenarios.
“Kongsberg Maritime continuously develops and improves its simulator products to meet and exceed certification requirements and market demands. Our development program and commitment to meeting new training requirements within ship technology ensure that our Engine Room Simulators and models are approved to the highest standards, ensuring our customers can provide up-to-date and fully approved simulation facilities,” comments Leif Pentti Halvorsen, Product Manager for Neptune Engine Room Simulators, Kongsberg Maritime.
Kongsberg Maritime has been supplying its approved Neptune simulators to training organisations around the world for 35 years. The success of the Neptune simulator can be attributed to its high fidelity simulation and flexibility derived from the sheer number of models available and its ability to be configured as Desktop, BigView touch screen or Full Mission systems.
The new DNV Type Approvals are for the following engine room simulators:
Medium/high speed
1. ERS-M22-IV Pielstick Medium Speed Ferry Class A+S
2. ERS-M11 MaK-IV Medium Speed Trawler Class A
3. ERS-H22 Water Jet MTU High Speed Class A
4. ERS-M11 MaK 8M453 Medium Speed Navy Logistic Vessel Class A
5. ERS-M22 MAK-Medium Speed River Vessel Class A
6. ERS-M21-II Pielstick Medium Speed Multi Purpose Vessel Class A
Low speed
7. ERS-MC90-V MAN B&W Low Speed VLCC Class A+S
8. ERS-RTA-III Sulzer Low Speed Container Vessel Class A+S
9. ERS-RT-Flex Wärtsila Low Speed Container Vessel Class A+S
Steam Plant
10. ERS- -SP-Dual Fuel LNG Turbine Ship Class A
Diesel Electric
11. ERS DE-DF Diesel Electric LNG Carrier Class A +S
12. ERS DE-III Diesel Electric Cruise Ship Class A +S
Special task
13. TPP Thermal Power Plant Class S
14. GT 25 General Electric LM2500 Gas Turbine Class S
Source: Nortrade, 4.1.2012
Lower industrial activity
A low number of incoming orders from a slow export market in December, brought the activity level of Norwegian industry to
its lowest level in two years, Dagens Næringsliv reports.
The so-called PMI index shows that the activity level in December dropped to 46.6, compared to 48.5 in November.
This is the lowes level since October 2009, according to Danske Markets.
Only 5 per cent of the industrial companies reported increased order intake in December.
Every fifth company reports reduced number of employees.
Source: The Norway Post, 4.1.2012
Housing prices rise most in Stavanger
Housing prices in and around Norway’s oil capital of Stavanger have more than doubled in the past five years, far outpacing
hefty price hikes in Oslo as well, and in most other areas of the country. The high cost of housing is linked to strong demand,
limited supply and business development in Stavanger’s home county of Rogaland.
While housing prices in Rogaland County climbed 103 percent between 2005 and 2010, supply of housing increased just 18 percent, according to figures from state statistics bureau SSB (Statistics Norway) and Norway’s real estate brokers’ trade association (Eiendomsmeglerforetakenes Forening, EFF). A strong oil- and gas-fueled economy has especially made Rogaland’s Stavanger area an attractive place to live and work, boosting housing demand, while interest rates have remained low.
Stavanger, home to state oil company Statoil and a robust offshore industry, has been the site of what some brokers call a “bonanza” that has made its real estate market hotter than any other area in Norway. Housing prices rose 12 percent last year alone, according to EFF, and even the brokers are calling for “more reasonable” price growth in 2012.
“Something has to be done, and quickly,” Rune Bertelsen of Stavanger’s biggest real estate brokerage Eiendomsmegler 1, told newspaper Dagens Næringsliv (DN). He said there are more homes for sale in smaller cities like Bodø and Kristiansand than there are in Stavanger, and more residential construction is needed. Initial fears of the finance crisis in 2008 halted some projects, while demand continued to rise, but Bertelsen said he thinks local politicians will now help clear the way for more homebuilding.
Stavanger Mayor Christine Sagen Helgø of the Conservative Party seems keen. “If we don’t boost housing production, it will be very challenging for our region,” she told DN.
Major price hikes elsewhere, too
In the Agder counties south of Rogaland and the Stavanger metropolitan area, prices were up 84 percent and supply just 13
percent. The counties of Telemark and Møre of Romsdal reported major price hikes as well, of 76 and 75 percent respectively.
Demand for housing is also high in Oslo, where prices have risen 62 percent since 2005 and supply 32 percent. In nearby Akershus, which surrounds Oslo, prices were up 61 percent over the five-year period.
The lowest housing price growth was found in the inland county of Hedmark, where average prices for homes, row houses and apartments rose 46 percent. That’s still not bad compared to the real estate situation in most countries, where housing prices have been battered in recent years, but in Norway it’s considered poor.
Tor Selstad, a professor at the College of Lillehammer, told newspaper Aftenposten that while Rogaland County has “become very modern” and developed its potential in the oil and offshore industries, Hedmark County “has clung on to old industry” like forest products. He cited the example of a carton factory in Rena that county officials tried to keep going by investing millions in it. Instead, such business has moved out of high-cost Norway, also across the border to Sweden. ”Sweden is a very aggressive competitor and has taken over much of the old industry in Hedmark,” Selstad told Aftenposten.
Hedmark’s proximity to Oslo and the main airport at Gardemoen, however, is making it more attractive as a lower-cost alternative
for those willing to commute long distances. Plans also abound for improved transportation between Hamar and Oslo.
Source: Views and News from Norway/Nina Berglund, 3.1.2012
Ex Soviet company eyes Norway drilling
Fresh Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) discoveries have attracted pre-qualification applications from a Kazakh oil company.
“Until now we’ve mainly had western firms here, but everyone is evaluated equally. They qualify if they have the necessary expertise,” Johannes Kjøde, Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) strategy, communication and international co-operation Deputy Director General, tells Aftenbladet.
Norwegian officials introduced the operator/licensee pre-qualification system following a desire for fresh, competent actors on the NCS.
Many new and smaller companies have also been granted access since 2000, in addition to some major Norwegian and foreign ones. Applications from seven other firms are now under review.
The two-stage process begins by contacting Norway’s Ministry of Petroleum and Energy. Both the NPD and Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) subsequently review each company.
Russia’s largest oil corporation Lukoil was handed Petroleum and Energy Ministry approval for access to the NCS earlier this year. KazmunayGas, also part of the now former Soviet Union, could become the second.
“The Aldous/Avaldsnes Elephant-sized oil discoveries have attracted international interest. It’s nice companies want to come
to Norway. It means we’re not dead,” concludes the NPD’s Johannes Kjøde.
Source: Nortrade, 2.1.2012
Export prices of fresh salmon drop
In the period from 19 December to 25 December, the export price of fresh salmon dropped by 5.6 per cent from the previous
seven-day period, Statistics Norway (SSB) reports.
The export quantity of fresh salmon was 16 499 tonnes in the period from 19 December to 25 December, a decrease of 26.2 per cent from the period 12 December to 18 December.
SSB points out that weeks which include Christmas and New Year normally show low export volumes.
Source: The Norway Post, 2.1.2012
Increased Norway Asian shipbuilding
The STX OSV shipbuilding group is backing Norwegian and international business by establishing its new yard in Vung Tau.
Director Roger Vassdal tells Aftenbladet, “Vietnam was chosen because it is a country with increasing offshore activity, has many young people, and that has a tradition for and experience in shipbuilding.”
15 Norwegian personnel are currently at the yard, a modern facility with over 700 employees.
“We are being cautious in the beginning, building simpler ships to try things out. Moreover, we put emphasis both on making good progress and managing to complete ships with a competitive delivery time.”
The first ship was delivered in 2010. Work on number five of six anchor handling ships for Aker DOF Deepwater has just been
completed, with delivery of the last one expected in March next year.
Source: Nortrade, 2.1.2012
