”The expertise, technology and international networks, built through decades in the Norwegian oil and gas industry, is crucial in pushing for transfer of technology, development and innovation in both established and new businesses”, says Krohn Traaseth.
“If the oil and gas industry, which is based on our strong maritime industry, is to keep contributing to the development of for example health technology, the industry must also be given room to restructure and develop its core business”, says Krohn Traaseth.
She says we must not forget the results from the innovation efforts in the North Sea over the past 45 years, stating: “Our biggest incubator in recent years has been and will be, the North Sea”.
CEO of the Norwegian Oil and Gas Association, Karl Eirik Schjøtt-Pedersen, points out that Innovation Norway (IN) is an important player in the development of Norwegian businesses, and is pleased that IN looks at the oil and gas industry as a driver of innovation.
“The large values created in oil and gas has made our industry an economic center of gravity. Several major industries rely on the wellbeing of the oil and gas industry. An active oil industry is the driving force for technological development in many new business areas, including offshore wind, offshore aquaculture and underwater mining. Even in space, we see the use of offshore technology. When drilling on the moon, on asteroids and on Mars, NASA will use technology developed in Norway.
“I am therefore delighted that the management of Innovation Norway provides such a clear signal to all funding agencies about how important it is to facilitate further development of the oil and gas industry”, says Schjøtt-Pedersen.
