Topic
norway
Commodities Equinor, Aker BP and Vår Energi join forces on Norwegian Continental Shelf exploration
Equinor, Aker BP and Vår Energi have formed a strategic exploration collaboration on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. They plan to mature and test 20-25 opportunities over four to five years, aiming to drill around five high-impact wells annually. The effort supports reliable European energy supplies amid an expected post-2035 production decline.
Logistics Hagland Shipping Charters Gerdes Battery-Hybrid Mini-Bulker for Northern Europe Trades
Hagland Shipping has taken the battery-hybrid mini-bulker Forty-Two G on a multiyear charter from Reederei Gerdes, adding a fourth externally owned vessel to its chartered fleet. The 3,800 dwt Damen Combi Freighter 3850, built at Ba Son Shipyard in Vietnam, will be fitted with an excavator for self-unloading in Northern European shortsea bulk trades.
Logistics Eidesvik and Reach agree sale of jointly-owned IMR vessel Viking Reach
Eidesvik Offshore and Reach Subsea have signed a memorandum of understanding to sell the jointly owned IMR vessel Viking Reach to an unnamed client, with completion expected in early Q4 2026. Eidesvik expects a gain of approximately NOK 80m ($8.4m), while Reach expects to book around NOK 30m ($3.15m) from the sale of the onboard work-class ROV.
Logistics Blystad's Songa Box Orders Up to Six Feeders at Chinese Newcomer Shipyard
Arne Blystad's Songa Box has ordered two 1,300 teu feeder vessels at Hubei Guangji Green Energy Shipbuilding in China, with options that could bring the series to six ships worth $180m. The order expands Songa Box's pipeline to eight firm newbuildings and up to 12 with options, amid a broader feeder fleet renewal.
Business Vår Energi Acquires BlueNord in $1.33 Billion Deal to Become Europe's Largest Independent Oil and Gas Producer
Norwegian oil and gas company Vår Energi has agreed to acquire BlueNord in a transaction valued at approximately $1.33 billion, combining assets on the Norwegian and Danish Continental Shelves. The merged entity will become Europe's largest independent oil and gas producer, with long-term production of around 450,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, low operating costs, and access to two new European gas delivery points.
Supply Chain Norway Offshore Labour Conflict Escalates: Lockout Threatens Oil and Gas Supply Chains
A growing strike by members of the Norwegian Union of Energy Workers (SAFE) on the Norwegian continental shelf is disrupting drilling and well operations, prompting offshore employers to prepare a large-scale lockout. The industrial action has already halted four IMR vessels, one well-intervention vessel, and two rigs, imposing high costs on suppliers and delaying oil and gas production. The dispute centres on a collective wage agreement, with SAFE calling it a 'dumping agreement' and Offshore Norge rejecting that label.
Commodities DOF Secures Three-Year Charter for Subsea Support Vessel Skandi Involver in North America
Norwegian offshore vessel owner DOF has been awarded a three-year firm charter for its 2017-built subsea support vessel Skandi Involver in North America, with two one-year options. The contract, commencing early Q3 2026, covers subsea construction, inspection, maintenance, and well intervention support.
Commodities Norwegian Føn Energy Services Wins Multi-Year O&M Deal for Poland's Baltic Power Offshore Wind Farm
Aker-backed Føn Energy Services has secured a multi-year balance-of-plant O&M contract for the 1.2GW Baltic Power offshore wind farm in Poland, the country's first such project. The deal covers subsea asset maintenance and environmental surveys. Local content is expected to exceed 21%, with Polish suppliers already active across the supply chain.
Logistics Remøy Shipping Rebrands as Bower Offshore After Zamil Offshore Acquisition
Six months after Saudi Arabia's Zamil Offshore Services Company acquired Norway's Remøy Shipping, the company has rebranded to Bower Offshore. The new name references the main anchor of a ship, symbolizing stability. The company, founded in 1899, operates six vessels in the North Sea. The rebranding may signal a strategic shift for offshore logistics clients.
Logistics DOF Secures Two-Year Equinor Contract Extension for Skandi Vega Until Q3 2029
Norwegian offshore vessel owner DOF has secured a two-year contract extension from Equinor for the anchor handling tug supply vessel Skandi Vega. The extension, exercised through options, makes the contract firm until the third quarter of 2029. The vessel has been continuously serving Equinor since its construction in 2010.
Commodities Last-Minute Pay Deal Averts Norwegian Rig Workers' Strike, Affecting Key Offshore Assets
Norwegian unions representing workers on drilling rigs and floating production platforms have reached a last-minute wage deal with employers, averting a strike that would have affected over 600 workers on key offshore assets including the Transocean Encourage rig and Equinor's Gullfaks B platform. The deal includes a 5.2% general wage increase, but a separate strike by oil service workers continues to widen.
Norwegian offshore unions enter last-ditch talks to avert wider strike in oil and gas sector
Norwegian offshore unions Styrke, SAFE, and DSO have entered state-mediated wage talks to avert a wider strike in the country’s oil and gas sector. Initial disruption could affect the Transocean Encourage rig, Odfjell Technology’s Linus rig, AKOFS Seafarer, and Equinor’s Gullfaks B platform. A separate service strike already underway has caused output losses, with Aker BP shutting down the Tambar field.
Commodities Equinor awards $1bn Norwegian rig deal to Transocean for three semisubmersibles
Swiss-based offshore drilling contractor Transocean has entered into an agreement with Equinor for the use of three Cat D harsh environment semisubmersible rigs on the Norwegian shelf. The deal represents over $1bn in contract backlog across seven rig years, with a base day rate of $399,000 that will exceed $400,000 at commencement due to adjustment provisions.
Logistics Norway Awards Contract for World's First Ship Tunnel Through a Mountain
The Norwegian Coastal Administration has awarded AF Gruppen a turnkey contract worth NOK 5.6bn ($564.5m) for the Stad Ship Tunnel, the world's first ship tunnel. The 1.7 km tunnel will allow freight and passenger ships to safely transit between the Norwegian Sea and North Sea year-round, bypassing hazardous waters. Construction begins in early 2027 and is expected to take about five years.
Commodities Vår Energi Takes FID on Gjøa Subsea Projects, Strengthens North Sea Hub
Vår Energi has announced a final investment decision on the Gjøa Subsea Projects in the North Sea, comprising the Ofelia, Gjøa Nord, and Cerisa discoveries. The project, with 76 million boe of proved plus probable reserves and a breakeven below $35 per barrel, is expected to start production in phases from 2027. This supports Vår Energi's long-term target of over 400,000 boe per day.
Commodities Vår Energi Approves Seven-Well North Sea Development with 2027 Start-Up
Norwegian oil and gas company Vår Energi has taken a final investment decision on the Balder Next New Wells project in the North Sea. The seven-well development tied back to the Jotun FPSO will develop 86 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe) gross in proved plus probable reserves, with first oil expected in the fourth quarter of 2027. The project has a breakeven of around $30 per boe and an internal rate of return exceeding 35%.
Logistics Norway backs new generation of hydrogen-fuelled bulkers with $36m Enova grant
Norwegian developer LH2 Shipping has secured NOK344.3m ($36m) from Enova to build two additional liquid hydrogen-powered bulk carriers, expanding its project pipeline to six vessels and bringing total public support above NOK800m ($74m). The 7,700 dwt shortsea bulkers will operate primarily on liquid hydrogen, with bunkering via Gen2 Energy in Mosjøen, and are designed to consume 30% less energy than conventional ships. Deployment is planned for trades between Norway, continental Europe, and the Baltic region.
Commodities Aker BP and Viridien Partner for Norwegian Exploration
Aker BP and Viridien have formed a strategic partnership to enhance exploration efforts on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. The collaboration focuses on multi-client OBN seismic data acquisition and technology development.