We have witnessed an interesting development in the GCE NODE companies during the last six months. For the first time since 2014, the number of employees is increasing.

By Tom Fidjeland, CEO of GCE NODE

Why is that? And what is the difference between the companies today and seven years ago?

Looking back to 2014, the GCE NODE companies where mainly engaged in the oil and gas industry. This has changed. Today, the overall marked is much broader.

New companies that operate within the renewable energy sector have joined GCE NODE (they are both needed and welcomed), and many of the companies that used to be fully dedicated to oil and gas, are now enjoying revenue from new industries, such as offshore wind, hydrogen, and marine minerals.

We have also seen a significant transformation within the traditional oil and gas market – a transition of major importance for today’s businesses and for future revenue.

A significant fall in oil prices in 2014 demanded a much more efficient well construction process. One of the important changes was the increase in speed when it comes to introduction of new technology. Operators realized that increased automation and digitalization was a necessity to produce lower cost.

Remote operations resulted in smaller crews offshore and smarter drilling processes. Automated equipment made well construction faster and less expensive. Increased efficiency also enabled a significant reduction of the carbon footprint.

The next step in this development is even more automation, on our way towards autonomy. It is again a development that will result in better drilling efficiency and even lower environmental impact.

When developing the technical skills required to deliver autonomy and remote operations to the oil industry,
the companies have realized that these skills are just as attractive in other markets. The cost challenge is even more demanding in the renewable energy marked than in the traditional marked for the GCE NODE companies.

There is no doubt that competence, skills, and technology from the oil and gas industry, will continue to play an important role as we move further into the energy transition.