With great ambitions for the North

It’s been almost two years since Grete Haaland accepted the position as Area Director for Exploration and Production North. She did so without ever having been to Harstad, where her new job would be based. Now, this charming town in the middle of Northern Norway has become her second home.

“As someone who grew up in Bergen and lived much of my life in Stavanger, I must say that the people of the north exaggerate their bad weather,” Grete laughs.

The midnight sun shines over the steep mountains. A few hours ago, she was in her office in the centre of Harstad. Now, her work clothes and bag have been swapped for hiking clothes and a backpack.

“Getting up into the heights and seeing the view is soothing for your spirit,” says Grete, adding that it also involves a quite bit of work:

“When I go for a hike, I can reflect. I think about the people I’ve met and the conversations I’ve had during the day. What was important, what was perhaps less important, and how I should follow up on everything the next day. I simply feel clearer.”

And there are many conversations and meetings for Grete in a working day. Although both her title and location might suggest that Grete only works with Equinor’s presence in Northern Norway, she’s actually responsible for all operations in the entire ‘northern region,’ which means everything north of Kristiansund. A vast geographical area where Equinor has several offices, onshore facilities, and a lot of activity, both ongoing and planned.

“There’s a lot of travelling, but I enjoy it. No two days are alike, and I get to meet many different people and be involved in various activities. A large part of my job is about relationships and collaboration, with everyone from politicians, suppliers, and businesses, to colleges and universities, and that’s not something you can do from a desk,” says Grete, elaborating:

“Being on good terms with the regions and local communities where we are present is important. We rely on it to carry out our projects, but it’s also only right that we contribute and create positive ripple effects in the areas where we are active.”

Equinor is investing tens of billions of Norwegian kroner in projects off the coast of Northern Norway to extend the life of existing installations.

Jobs are preserved, and Europe’s energy security is maintained by projects like Irpa and Verdande being developed in the Norwegian Sea to sustain production from the Aasta Hansteen and Norne fields. Simultaneously, exploration for oil and gas on the northern shelf is strengthened, with about half of all exploration wells to be drilled this year located here. This helps sustain value creation in the region and meet Europe’s energy needs.

To illustrate, Grete points to Johan Castberg. The new 313-meter-long production ship is currently at Stord but will soon start its journey towards the Barents Sea, where it is planned to commence production by the end of 2024.

“When it comes into operation, it will employ around 800 people, both onboard and onshore through the delivery of goods and services. It will create activity along the entire coast,” says Grete.

Using and involving local businesses and suppliers is crucial for creating value beyond our own operations, believes Grete. In the coming years, she wants even more of Equinor’s major contracts to be awarded to Norwegian and local suppliers.

“One significant strategic collaboration we have entered into in recent years is with Norwegian Aibel. They have a presence in much of the country and provide maintenance and modifications to our installations. Such strategic partnerships will be important for us moving forward, including in Northern Norway,” she says.

Snøhvit Future on Melkøya, one of Northern Norway’s largest industrial projects, is another example Grete highlights. It creates significant ripple effects, and several local suppliers are connected to the project where over NOK 13 billion is currently being invested. It is expected that around 70% of the value creation during the development phase will go to Norwegian companies. However, the planned electrification of Hammerfest LNG is also an example of how coexistence is not always easy. Opinions on the project are both divided and strong.

“With large projects and investments naturally come discussions, and we appreciate the local community’s engagement. At the same time, Snøhvit Future will secure continued operations at Melkøya, where around 500 people work today, and contribute to cutting 850,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.”

One of the things Grete is most concerned about is getting more people to stay in the region.

“In the coming years, we will see many new exciting jobs and a lot of local value creation in the north, I’m not worried about that. What we need to work on, however, is creating a desire to stay and a willingness to settle here. That people take on jobs here and contribute to developing the region.”

And it’s not because she wants everyone to stay and work in energy.

“No, not at all. Northern Norway has room for many industries, and it should continue to accommodate them. I think we need to collaborate. It should be possible to spend your entire working life here and be involved in different industries. For example, start in aquaculture and then move to the energy sector, or vice versa. I think that’s positive for us and the region. Northern Norway should continue to be rich, vibrant, and diverse, just as it is today,” she says.