The Arctic Technology Conference, the first of its kind in the U.S., focused on the many challenges facing energy companies in the Arctic, and gathered 1200 participants from more than 20 countries.
Important to Norway
The High North is Norway’s most important strategic priority area, as spelled out in the High North Strategy. The Government’s overall objective is to create sustainable growth and development in the northernmost region through international cooperation on the use of natural resources, environmental management and research. These topics were well covered on the conference, with 130 oral sessions focusing on issues such as the indigenous people, geohazards, icebreaking, shipping, exploration drilling and risk management. Norwegian companies and institutions contributed greatly to these sessions, with speakers from Det Norske Veritas (DNV), Kongsberg Maritime, Statoil, NIVA, Marintek, Norut Narvik Ltd, International Research Institute of Stavanger (IRIS), Sea-Hawk Navigation and Scandpower.
Mayor Sevland, Consul General Mykletun and Per Olav Hanssen, City Counselor and President, Houston/Galvestone-Stavanger Sister City Society
The Mayor of the Norwegian City of Stavanger, Leif Johan Sevland, also attended the conference. Stavanger is the hub of the Norwegian energy industry, and has close ties to Houston - much due to the tireless efforts of Mr. Sevland.
“When I arrive here in Houston it almost feels like coming home”, the Mayor said.
Norwegian Arctic industrial and technology expertise was also well represented on the conference venue in George R. Brown Convention center, with exhibitors from
Aker Solutions, Arctic Europe, DNV,
The Norwegian Research Council, IRIS, Kirkenes Town and Port, Marintek, Sea- Hawk Navigation,
Sherpa Konsult, Storm Geo and Kongsberg. In total, more than 100 Norwegian delegates came to ATC.
The Norwegian Consulate General’s involvement
The Royal Norwegian Consulate General in Houston was actively involved throughout the week, including hosting a large networking function for international delegates to ATC, the Arctic Oil Spill Seminar and the Space & Energy Conference. The Consulate also co-organized the latter two events.
To be continued
The Arctic Technology Conference is a spinoff of the Offshore Technology Conference, which takes place annually in Houston. The next ATC conference is being planned for 2013 in Calgary, Canada.