PSW TECHNOLOGY
A HUB OF DEEPWATER SOLUTIONS
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PSW TECHNOLOGY
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I PROFILE
PSW Technology is a Norwegian venture providing services and solutions to the global drilling sector. Its deepwater expertise and experience have resulted in several lucrative contracts with some of the industry’s leading names. Andy Probert discovered more in a discussion with Managing Director Geir Knapskog.
O
ffering reliable solutions from one source is a specialism that energy clients often seek. In
PSW Technology, they find a perfect fit. The Norwegian company, owned by Scana ASA, is a powerhouse of varied services all under one roof to serve the global drilling industry, covering the oil and gas and renewables sectors.
Solid foundations From state-of-the-art purpose-built facilities in Mongstad, PSW Technology is built on the core services of modification, repair and inspection of subsea production, drilling
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PSW TECHNOLOGY
I PROFILE
well control or drilling top-side equipment. The company is project-driven, offering tailor-made solutions to Norwegian and international clients with assignments completed in Europe, the Norwegian & UK Continental shelf, the Middle East, Mediterranean, Africa and South America. The company is assisted by its sister companies PSW Power & Automation and PSW Solutions. PSW Power & Automation delivers complete solutions within electrification and renewable energy. The company specialises in designing and integrating electrical power systems, electrical infrastructure, energy storage systems and control systems. PSW Solutions provides unique expertise in the planning and execution of industrial surface treatment services. It provides surface treatment of all steel qualities and industrial surface treatments according to NORSOK M-501 and other OEM procedures. The company also has in-house expertise and resources providing several NDE methods, as well as competence with lifting equipment. PSW Solar specialises in solar systems for buildings, both with and without batteries. It has the experience to deliver sustainable energy production, storage, and smart energy management solutions. “PSW Technology has developed a portfolio of services and products against the global backdrop of a financial crisis, an oil crisis and a pandemic,” said Managing Director Geir Knapskog. “There have been big ups and downs, but efficiently building
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the company during downtime has been a key factor of our success. We have adapted to market demands and capitalised on opportunities.” PSW Technology was founded in 2007 to service the drilling industry
classify and
– primarily on the Norwegian West
test two deep-water
Coast. Rapid growth attracted investment, which strengthened the company further and enabled it to expand. Today, its facilities, strategically located
BOP stacks and wellcontrol equipment. “PSW Technology will deliver service and upgrades to
at Mongstad, are built for safety, quality,
contribute to the efficient
delivery and cost optimisation. It operates
operation of the drill ship,”
three large workshops including a Riser,
confirmed Mr Knapskog.
Subsea equipment and welding workshop,
“This is a sizeable contract for
as well as a modern climate-controlled
the company and confirms
sandblast and paint workshop. One
our expertise and position for
workshop is tailor-made for efficient
services related to well control
storage, maintenance and testing of
and drilling equipment for the
ultra-deepwater blowout preventers (BOP).
rig market.”
The facilities, covering 180,000sqm,
It has also signed an agreement
feature indoor facilities of 25,000sqm,
with an international drilling
two subsea test pits, a drilling test pit,
contractor for the modification,
a combined crane capacity of 240 tonnes
classification and testing of
and a stack-up height of 19m, a deep-water
a deep-water BOP stack. “The off-
dock, and load test facilities with a capability
shore rig market shows strong signs
of 2,000 tonnes. A solar power system,
of recovery, and PSW Technology is
covering 3,500sqm of the roof’s surface,
prepared and positioned to handle
offers an annual output of 363,000kWh,
an increased activity level,” he added.
enabling power self-sufficiency.
The leading Norwegian multinational energy company has also awarded PSW
Key contracts
Technology a three-year contract for main-
PSW Technology is riding high on the
tenance services to its Mongstad refinery,
award of a number of contract wins
with an option for a further six years.
within the last 18 months. In February
“For PSW Technology, this is a game
2023, it was awarded a service contract
changer,” said Mr Knapskog. “After
with a Norwegian drill ship company to
several lean years in the drilling industry,
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PSW TECHNOLOGY
I PROFILE
PSW Technology has secured an important foundation for the activity in the coming years. The contract doubles the company’s turnover and provides a welcomed longterm perspective.” As the closest neighbour to the multinational energy company’s refinery at Mongstad, PSW Technology has long positioned itself to become a maintenance partner to the refinery. This customer awarded PSW Technology the contract for maintenance services and prefabrication at the plant. PSW Technology, aided by its sister companies and local contractors, will supply electrical services, mechanical maintenance, tank maintenance and welding, and sludge services. The maintenance assignment ensures major ripple effects, such as increased local employment and purchasing, plus greater opportunities for companies to support community activities in the area. The company expects to mobilise a team of about 150 people for this job, including project staff and administrative positions. While the company employs around 250 staff in total, there is still a need to expandwith an additional 40 personnel.
Highly agile PSW Technology has ongoing contracts on rigs in southern Africa, the Mediterranean and Brazil, with plans in the pipeline for contracts in Kuwait and China. “We are highly active in taking our expertise globally to where our customers are,” Mr Knapskog said.
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“PSW Technology hopes to expand further on international projects as there are many opportunities out there.” The company is also highly innovative, offering well control equipment solutions for clients, “which shows a willingness to adapt to the market,” he added. “Our new
hydropower. It
workshop was designed and completed
has waste segrega-
based on our customers’ needs, and we
tion systems, and residual
are harvesting the fruits of what we have
waste is at a minimum. “PSW Technology
developed. It demonstrates how PSW
has a carbon netzero goal for 2050 and
Technology is attentive to clients.”
is working towards a 50% cut by 2030,”
That willingness to go above and beyond
Mr Knapskog emphasised.
includes the classification of BOPs for drilling
“PSW Technology is always alert
rigs with the full utilisation of the company’s
and adaptive in meeting the complex
customised project set-up capabilities in
challenges of suppliers and clients,” he
collaboration with the client.
concluded. “The group’s multidisciplinary
“We have taken on some projects outside
expertise, modern facilities and strategic
our remit,” said Mr Knapskog. “A leading oil
partnerships enable it to meet industry
rig contractor, having acquired several
requirements, while offering safe,
companies, asked for our help in setting up
dependable and cost-effective solutions.”
a unified management system. We formed
PSW Technology renders a variety of
a team and provided a customised set-up.
services within capping and support
This process shows how PSW Technology
services as part of the Norwegian Oil and
moves: a customer comes to us with com-
Gas emergency response plan. The PSW
plex problems, and we derive the solutions.”
Technology arctic capping stack (18 3/4 10
He confirmed that the company’s stance
K Rams) is stored and maintained at state-
on sustainability aligns with the UN’s sustain-
of-the-art facilities in Norway, ready for
ability goals: “Economic growth, responsible
immediate use and onward transportation,
consumption and production, and climate
with a 24/7 on-duty team standing by.
actions are significant to us. Our people are
The capping stack can be tested,
our most important asset: we care for them,
mobilised and ready on dock within 24
train them and provide a safe and inclusive
hours of notification. PSW Technology aims
working environment. Our people are of dif-
to provide affordable access to a capping
ferent nationalities, able-bodied and with
stack to all operators. The capping stack
disabilities, while gender equality is very
and support service levels are adapted
important.”PSW Technology, while operating
to our customers’ needs, and we do not
with solar power, also draws energy from
operate with credit rating limitations.
n
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