For 50 years, Norwegian waters have been the centre of world-class technological development. All across the country, both large and small companies have contributed. Also far away from the great depths of the continental shelf. Now a new, green chapter is being written in industrial Norway.
Narvik: Almost 60 years have passed since railway deputy Rolf Hellem stood here and watched the fully loaded trains coming from Kiruna, Sweden. The trains were full of ore. From Narvik, the ore was sent out to the world as a basis for other jobs and industries. Narvik as a society was built around this industry.
In 1965, Hellem was elected as a member of Parliament. Norway was in the midst of industrial change, and permits had been issued to search for oil and gas off Norwayâs coast. The large Ekofisk field was discovered in the North Sea four years later. The discovery changed Norway forever. Hellem, who had seen the ore industry shape Narvik, was determined to make certain that these resources be utilised for the good of the entire Norwegian society.
In his small apartment in Oslo, he scribbled down a list that would later form the basis for large parts of Norway's oil and gas policy. The list was called âThe Ten Oil Commandmentsâ.