ONS 2013: Exclusive Preview of ‘Pioneer’ for Ex-North Sea Divers

On 19 August there will be a preview screening of the thriller Pioneer for former North Sea divers, government officials and industry representatives at ONS Norway. The film portrays pioneer divers in the North Sea and the dangers they faced.

“We’re very pleased to be able to show this film at ONS Norway, where the oil and gas industry is on home ground. The pioneer divers were a vital factor in realising the oil adventure, and many of them suffered debilitating health problems. Safety on the continental shelf is just as important a theme nowadays,” says Leif Johan Sevland, President and CEO of ONS.

Pioneer is a thriller dating back to the early days of the Norwegian oil adventure. There were huge finds of oil and gas on the Norwegian continental shelf, which the Norwegian authorities wanted to bring ashore in a pipeline at a depth of 500 metres. Petter, a professional diver, played by Aksel Hennie, is obsessed by the idea of being the first to reach the bottom of the sea.

The film opened the Norwegian International Film Festival in Haugesund on 15 August, before its preview at ONS Norway in Stavanger on 19 August. It will premiere in Norwegian cinemas on 30 August.

 PIONEER is set in the early 80’s, at the beginning of the Norwegian Oil Boom. Enormous oil and gas deposits are discovered in the North Sea and the authorities aim to bring the oil ashore through a pipeline from depths. A professional diver is obsessed with reaching the bottom of the Norwegian Sea.

Thanks to Nord-Lock

The preview is made possible thanks to the company Nord-Lock, the sponsor of the evening’s event and an exhibitor at ONS Norway. Nord-Lock is the only supplier of certified bolt securing systems in the market, offering solutions to reduce the risk of falling objects on oil and gas installations. This enhances both safety and operations.

“This preview gives us the chance to put safety discussions high on the industry’s agenda once again. Every third week sees an incident involving falling objects due to bolts loosening. The industry must stand together with safety and prevention in mind,” says Petter Viken, Nord-Lock’s sales manager for Norway.

Pioneer is directed by Erik Skjoldbjærg (Nokas, Prozac Nation and Insomnia) and produced by Friland Film, who also produced Headhunters in 2011. Pioneer will have its international premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on 6 September.