Offshore Travel in the Norwegian Continental Shelf

In years of working closely with Norway’s energy sector, there has been a great deal of change in the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS). While traditional oil and gas continues to be a cornerstone of Norwegian energy activity and our wider economy, investment in renewables has seen a surge too. Service providers, including travel management companies (TMC) such as ATPI, must consider how we appropriately adapt to support all sectors.

2024 saw several regional milestones, with gas production in the NCS reaching a record high that had been held since 2009, while oil exploration in 2024 increased compared to 2023. These positive signs led to increased interest in the region, with a recent Reuters survey expecting the industry investments to peak this year. This is running in parallel with the renewables side of the region’s energy security. Several tenders have indicated that as a country, we are serious about our ambitions to produce 30,000 MW of offshore wind by 2040.

Ambition and investment are there, but all those involved in the industry must each play their part to ensure we are operating on the same page and collaborating to make aims a reality. Thankfully, local industry events – like next week’s OTD Energy – allow us to stop and reflect on these goals, and the changes and developments influencing their feasibility.

When the industry converges on Stavanger, connections come together for fresh discussions to share insight and ensure that we all remain at the top of our game, delivering the highest quality of support possible in our individual, and collective, service areas.

As a TMC working extensively with operators, service providers, and the supply chain within Norway’s energy sector, our role isn’t to directly support production in the field. But what we specialise in is ensuring that the industry has the personnel in the right place at the right time, whether operational individuals working in the field or decision makers working in boardrooms.

This is a role I – alongside my wider team at ATPI Nordics – takes immense pride in, and a role that we have an impressive track record of supporting. But as the local industry develops and changes, we must stay ahead of the game to predetermine how the needs of our clients in the sector might change, ensuring that we have new solutions ready before they even have to ask.

Ahead of OTD, here are some of the key talking points for energy-sector travel across Northern Europe and the Nordic countries.

Industry Travel and Compliance

The offshore energy sector requires a dynamic and considered approach to the travel and transfer of crew and personnel. Industry-specific challenges, including transferring crew to and from remote or harsh environments (timely and, more importantly, safely), present industry-specific complexities. And these intricacies are no longer exclusive to established travel traditions of oil rigs and vessels, with offshore wind farms also now key considerations.

Norway is already home to the world’s largest floating offshore wind farm, and with several tenders in development, we must prepare for new challenges. Whether ensuring that we choose the most sustainable travel options to align with the renewables shift or being aware of how structures can impact or limit routes.

A changing industry also means changing regulations across the board, including for travel and workforce management. Companies must comply with Norwegian and international conditions for providing and transporting personnel, specifically relating to the travel programs in place to guarantee their well-being in the risk of emergencies or potential disruption. As a TMC, a key part of our role is to be aware of changing regulations and any threats so we can quickly mobilise to safeguard personnel amid disruption.

Technology and Efficiency

Like any activity, technology is key to optimising travel efficiency. Managing personnel, coordinating logistics, and providing crew and management with real-time updates, information, and support can all be streamlined with the right platforms in place. Several options exist to deliver holistic, door-to-door trip management and coordination, with the benefit of minimising operational downtime by ensuring crew arrive and depart promptly and seamlessly.

For those in charge of managing internal travel, innovative systems centralise bookings under a single platform, providing complete visibility of costs and activity. This allows decision-makers to evaluate their travel policy and, with the guidance of TMC experts, make better-informed decisions based on data-led reporting and analysis.

Partnering with a Specialist

In demanding and high-risk environments, management needs enhanced and real-time visibility of crew and operations. That starts with managing the workforce and their travel arrangements.

Integrating technology with expertise, a travel management partner that specialises in and works within the confines of specific regions is a key investment that provides benefits across the complete operational spectrum. Whether it’s the software delivered to support cost and crew tracking or having access to specialised marine and offshore airfares, TMCs deliver flexibility and round-the-clock attention and care.

To find out more, connect with me on LinkedIn, and we can catch up at OTD next week.