From Foreign Standards to Local Strength
In the early phase of oil development on the Norwegian continental shelf, American oil companies dominated operations on both the British and Norwegian sides of the North Sea. Phillips and Mobil led the way with Ekofisk and Statfjord, respectively, bringing with them American specifications, standards, and requirements – developed for American industry and practices. This meant that Norwegian suppliers had to compete on unfamiliar terms, with little adaptation to local methods and expertise.
A Turning Point with Gullfaks
When Statoil took over as operator of the Gullfaks field, the company aimed to reverse this trend. During the planning of Gullfaks A, a key objective was to adapt technical specifications to Norwegian conditions and capabilities. This was done in close collaboration with Norwegian industry, including the Norwegian Federation of Mechanical Workshops (MVL), now part of Norsk Industri. The collaboration was formalized through working groups and consultations, allowing suppliers to contribute before specifications were finalized. By the time tenders were issued, Norwegian industry was well-prepared and competitive.
Specifications Adapted to Norwegian Expertise
Through deliberate choices in development strategy and contracting methods, deliveries were tailored to suit Norwegian industry. The technical specifications allowed for the use of shipbuilding techniques involving plate constructions—meaning thinner plates and simpler welding processes – rather than the more demanding truss structures with heavy load-bearing elements.
The collaboration with the Norwegian Federation of Mechanical Workshops (MVL), now part of Norsk Industri, began with specifications for carbon steel. Norwegian workshops had previously struggled with American requirements, especially during the Statfjord projects. Plate thickness, hardness standards, and heat-affected zones during welding had led to significant additional costs. Statoil therefore aimed to develop specifications in close cooperation with the industry, enabling steel to be processed using familiar procedures from shipbuilding and mechanical engineering – while still meeting offshore standards.
Experts from Aker, Kværner, and Veritas were brought into the process, and together with Statoil, they developed new specifications for the production, processing, and welding of carbon steel. These differed from earlier offshore requirements and were implemented on Gullfaks A. The result was fewer quality issues, reduced costs, and successful execution according to plan.
Stainless Steel and Corrosion Challenges
Another critical area was the seawater systems, where conventional stainless steel alloys had previously corroded when exposed to air and saltwater – particularly in the process and firewater systems inside the storage tanks. On the Statfjord field, an attempt had been made to coat the steel pipes with concrete, but this led to new problems when the concrete detached and damaged the pumps.
The solution came from Sandvik Steelworks in Sweden, which had developed a special alloy known as Stainless Molybden Steel. This alloy required specialized welding expertise, and a close collaboration was established between Sandvik and the Gullfaks A project. A complete system of pipes, bends, and valves in various dimensions was developed.
The industry faced a steep learning curve. Experts were brought in to train suppliers in proper handling and welding techniques. Dedicated specifications were created, along with a color chart to help welders assess the quality of their work. Gullfaks A became the first platform to implement this alloy in its seawater and process systems, both in the storage tanks and on deck. The results were so successful that several steel manufacturers later developed similar alloys, and the problem of corrosion in such systems has largely been resolved today.
Long-Term Ripple Effects
The Gullfaks project became a turning point for Norway’s shipyard and supplier industry. By adapting requirements and specifications to existing expertise, while also introducing new technology and materials, Norwegian industry became both more competitive and better prepared for future contracts. The experience gained with carbon and stainless steel on Gullfaks A created new standards for quality, cost efficiency, and collaboration models, which were quickly adopted in later projects.
This deliberate “Norwegianization” of requirements and solutions not only helped secure Norwegian jobs at a time of intense international competition – it also laid the foundation for a robust, innovative supplier industry that continues to leave its mark on offshore projects worldwide.