Oil Activity in Arctic Requires New Technologies for Oil Spill Prevention

The oil activity in Arctic regions will require new technologies for oil spill prevention. “This summer, we will offer this innovative challenge to 10 creative students in the fields of engineering, economy or other disciplines,” says Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, DNV’s Vice President for Norway, Russia and Finland.

In recent years, DNV’s summer project has focused on oil activities and shipping in Arctic regions. “Following the new, major finds in Norway’s section of the Barents Sea, this subject has become even more relevant. One important principle in this respect is to achieve the same level of safety as in the North Sea. Challenges involving the dark, weather conditions, ice and not least the great distances make it necessary to expand knowledge and develop technology further,” says Ørbeck-Nilssen.

One of the initiatives for reducing risk is to develop new or improved systems for oil spill prevention and containment in the event of industrial accidents. “This is the mission we wish to charge the younger generation with, and we want a diversified group to create ground-breaking, but realistic solutions.”

Previous summer projects have included students of varying academic backgrounds, gender and nationality. In addition to civil engineers, we are once again seeking students in the fields of economy, ecology, computer modeling, logistics, risk management, political science, psychology and social studies, just to mention a few.

“Maybe the comprehensive scope of their competence is one of the reasons that the groups have produced highly original ideas and concepts. The students have the opportunity to let their thoughts circle freely around the challenges of the Arctic, and we are anxious to see the innovations they arrive at,” says Kristina Dahlberg, who is coordinating DNV’s Summer Project.

“This type of relevant summer job can furthermore mean a career leap for the students. They are confronted with issues that industry has not yet discovered the ultimate answer to. In addition, many of the students have found jobs in DNV afterwards or are doing their Master’s theses here,” she says.

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Subsea World News Staff , February 15, 2012;  Image: DNV