Category: News

How to use AI in emergency response

Imagine the following scenario unfolding in the North Sea. At 2am on Sunday, the pressure in the subsea pipeline carrying gas from the processing plant in Norway to Europe suddenly starts to drop, and the control systems also experience unusual signals and irregularities. Can artificial intelligence (AI) be used to streamline handling and decision-making in such an emergency situation?

Let’s put it to rest right away; AI is here to stay. And it’s already being used at various levels of emergency response today. Artificial intelligence (AI) has enormous potential to improve emergency preparedness and response. By leveraging AI technology, businesses can better predict, detect, respond to and manage different types of crises, from natural disasters to man-made events.

But first, how can we ensure that AI is used in the most effective and responsible way?

– We humans are vulnerable to large amounts of information that need to be processed. This is where AI can help us sort and structure the amount of information. For example, AI can help decision-makers by providing real-time analysis and forecasts based on available data, in other words producing decision support This can be particularly useful in chaotic situations where quick decisions are crucial. But, and this is a big but, we still have to use our human critical thinking skills since AI does not critically question whether we are making the right choices, nor can it make the decisions for us,” says Hanne Cook, preparedness and security expert at Proactima.

Hanne Cook and colleague and innovation expert Surbhi Bansal recently took to the stage at this year’s Beredskapskonferanse to explain how AI can be used to streamline management and decision-making in emergency situations.

So how can we actually use AI in emergency situations?

– AI models can be used to identify patterns or anomalies in data. This can be useful for detecting unauthorized activity, such as sabotage or terrorist attacks, as well as for monitoring cyber security and detecting hacking attempts. In terms of surveillance, AI can be used to monitor critical infrastructure such as bridges, roads and buildings to detect structural weaknesses or damage. AI can also be used to automate repetitive tasks, such as sending out emergency alerts, sorting information and coordinating task forces. This frees up human resources to focus on more complex tasks,” explains Surbhi.

Is it safe to use AI to develop decision support in an emergency situation?

– While AI can help us improve our situational awareness through the production of decision support, the question is what the risk picture will be when introducing AI into the management of emergency situations. Introducing AI-based systems is like introducing even more uncertainty and risk into an already complex system. KI can’t make the assessment for you and data quality is crucial. In the context of emergency preparedness, such tasks are not without risk. AI can also lead to uncertainty, risk, bottlenecks and poor explanations. This can often mean that the business does not have a sufficient understanding of how to control and verify AI-produced output and to what extent decision-makers should trust them,” says Surbhi.

From left: Hanne Cook and Surbhi Bansal during the Preparedness Conference 24. May 2024.

A (not entirely unlikely) contingency scenario

Back to our scenario. Since we already know that critical infrastructure is considered a likely target based on the security situation in Norway, is this sabotage or a technical error?

— In our subsea pipeline scenario, AI can be used to detect unauthorized tampering with equipment, monitor vessel movements in nearby and high-security areas, and detect suspicious activities in the network. In surveillance and monitoring, AI-assisted drones are already being used to patrol sensitive areas. They also have great potential for collecting data and estimating the trajectory of gas dispersion if the pipeline starts to leak. Subsequently, AI can be used to remotely control the delivery of necessary equipment and tools to quickly repair the pipeline,” explains Surbhi, adding that AI can also be used for communication, speech recognition and translations in the coordination work with relevant stakeholders.

Don’t forget human critical thinking

Hanne and Surbhi explain that the challenges of AI are amplified when dealing with an emergency situation – as these situations tend to be infrequent, stressful, fast-paced and highly uncertain. In order for AI to increase efficiency and provide good decision support in an emergency situation, Hanne and Surbhi encourage you to have:

  • Understanding how the technology works
  • Understand how machines arrive at what they show us
  • Understand how human factors come into play in a decision-making process
  • Human in the loop – human factors knowledge about the use of AI models in emergency management – to avoid the pitfalls that arise when humans have to work together with machines in a critical situation

Proactima already uses AI support to streamline risk analysis through our Dmaze tool. We have already come a long way in using AI to streamline processes before an incident occurs; risk analyses, exercise planning, support for preparing contingency plans, conducting exercises/training, etc.

Do you want to know more about how we use AI in emergency preparedness work today, or do you want input on how your company should work with AI in emergency preparedness? Get in touch with us for a chat!

Successful Beredskapsdebatt: – We need to talk more together

Last night, 150 participants gathered at Sola for a debate on emergency preparedness and recilience. Proactima proudly hosted the Preparedness Debate on May 22, which marked the start of the subsequent annual Beredskapskonferansen. . On stage, the panel will discuss how society ensures the development of emergency preparedness in today’s risk picture and how we facilitate cooperation and collaboration.

– There is too much distance between the public and private sectors, and the walls are too thick between sectors and national authorities. This is one of the findings of Totalberedskapskommisjonen that needs to be addressed urgently,” said Tone Grindland, member of Totalberedskapskommisjonen and Regional Director of NHO Rogaland.

Totalberedskapskommisjonens recommendations have not yet been adopted as policy, and a White Paper is expected in the fall.

There was broad agreement in the panel that stakeholders need to talk more together. Privat sector must be included to a greater extent in the authorities’ preparedness and planning.

– Its in private sector that we find the resources and the capacity is in large volume. A thriving private sector is a prerequisite for good preparedness. That’s why Norwegian business ownership is important,” said Geir Hågen Karlsen, associate partner at Geelmuyden Kiese and former military expert.

The debate was chaired by Proactima founder and Executive Chairman Richard Heyerdahl.

From left: Stian Aker (Proactima), Tonje Jenssen Espeland (DSB), Bent Høie (State Governor of Rogaland), Tone Grindland (member of Totalberedskapskommisjonen and Regional Director of NHO Rogaland), Geir Hågen Karlsen (Geelmuyden Kiese and former Lieutenant Colonel in the Army).

It is necessary to include the business community to a greater extent in the assessment of future emergency preparedness structures that will strengthen our ability for total preparedness. A large part of the resources, both human and material, belong to private companies. In today’s security policy climate, we see that the business community is being challenged to a greater extent and bears a large part of the risk. There are also greater demands and expectations on businesses, especially those that own and manage critical infrastructure.

In Norway, we have a total defense concept, which means that the private sector must make resources available. And one of the major vulnerabilities when we talk about dimensioning events is that the actors count on resources they will not have available when the need arises. Stian Aker, group leader for emergency preparedness and crisis management at Proactima, had a clear message for the audience:

– Go home to your own business and map out which resources your company is dependent on when we get to the crisis/war spectrum and map out which ones will be available. Which resources will be allocated to the Armed Forces, volunteering or other commitments, and which resources will remain? We need to dare to be comfortable discussing what we don’t have answers to today,” said Stian Aker.

Next week, 29. May, revised advice for self-preparedness is launched where one of the main advice is that the population must be prepared to have self-preparedness for 7 days and not for 3 days as it is today.

When we meet for Beredskapsdebatten in 2025, the panel predicts that “the plan is clearer”, that cyber continues to dominate the situation and that we have more answers on the table about civil preparedness.

This week, we are present with a stand and exhibitor space throughout. And tomorrow, Hanne Cook and Surbhi Bansal from Proactima will be on stage during the main conference, sharing their experiences of effective AI support in emergency preparedness and decision-making.

He leads the country’s strongest team in occupational hygiene

Few people have heard of occupational hygiene. Nevertheless, it is absolutely essential for the Norwegian working environment. Bror Johan Tørneng Wik leads one of the country’s strongest occupational hygiene team that contributes to a safer working life.

Throughout his working life, Bror has worked with occupational hygiene. He has worked with HSE and chemical management in companies such as Maersk and the predecessors of Aker BP. Today, he leads the Health and Working Environment group at Proactima.

Increasing wellbeing and reducing illness for people at work – a place where many of us spend much of our lives – is the main motivation for me,” he begins.

Occupational hygiene is in short supply

Proactima’s occupational hygiene team assists companies with consultancy, risk mapping, risk management, chemical audits – and much more. The expertise of occupational hygiene experts is also important for the country’s occupational health services.

Bror Johan Tørneng Wik, group leader for Health and Working Environment at Proactima, leads one of the country’s strongest professional environments in occupational hygiene.

– The companies we work for know the working environment best – and so we need to work together on how to make things better in their workplace. We make a difference to individuals; at the same time, there is no doubt that good occupational hygiene is important on a socio-economic level.

He is supported by colleague Hans Thore Smedbold, who, in addition to being an occupational hygienist, is also chairman of the Norwegian Occupational Hygiene Association. Smedbold believes that collaboration with occupational health services is important.

– Expertise in occupational hygiene is in short supply in society. Occupational health services are not getting the right expertise and are being filled with healthcare professionals – of which there are too few in this country. At the same time, we have a strong professional environment here that can support them and help the companies. It’s a win-win situation for us, for occupational health services and for health Norway, says Smedbold.

Our occupational hygienists often assist in these industries:

  • Oil and gas
  • Industry
  • Building and construction
  • Occupational health service

Several factors affect the working environment

According to Smedbold, the occupational hygiene profession creates major ripple effects in society. In its simplest sense, the profession is about preventing people from getting sick at work. In purely economic terms, sick leave is a major burden for those who fall ill, as well as being costly for companies and the state.

Hans Thore Smedbold is an occupational hygienist at Proactima and head of the Norwegian Occupational Hygiene Association.

It is therefore important to avoid people being affected by serious illness, which in the worst case scenario reduces life expectancy and quality of life.

– There are several industries where working conditions lead to cancer or COPD. For example, in a workplace with welding fumes or a lot of silica dust. This may be due to companies having difficulty understanding how dangerous their working environment is, because some limit values for welding fumes and dust exposure are outdated, and legislation is not updated according to current knowledge of the risk factors, says Smedbold.

A well-trained occupational hygienist knows this and will avoid using these limits,” he adds.

With today’s knowledge, the risk factors can be mapped in advance. For example, Proactima can assist with a professional assessment before a building and construction project is initiated.

Did you know that Proactima is working to update the legislation? We share our knowledge with politicians and other professionals and work to ensure that the limit values for hazardous chemicals and particles are up-to-date and health-based. Read more about this later.

Standing on several legs

External factors such as chemicals are a known risk factor in many workplaces. However, interpersonal relationships can also have a very negative impact on the working environment – and are categorized as a risk factor.

– A typical issue we work with can be a workplace that is experiencing sky-high levels of conflict in the workplace. A labor dispute can be highly charged and many employees can become ill from the environment. With technical tools such as surveys and assessments, we can support a business with conflict management and solutions. Our uniqueness is that we solve occupational health issues combined with management support and risk management to find holistic solutions for our customers, says Bror.

That’s why most of the occupational hygienists at Proactima have multidisciplinary backgrounds. Multidisciplinarity is one of the reasons why the environment is so academically robust.

– Some of us are ergonomists at heart, others, like myself, work with chemical management. Together, we make up a versatile and professionally strong team that works closely with the rest of Proactima’s consultants to promote a safe and sustainable society, Bror concludes.

Interested in joining the team – or hearing more about the services we offer?

Click here to read more about our services and contact us contact us

Proactima appoints new CEO

The board of directors in Proactima, has appointed Hermann Steen Wiencke as the new CEO. Hermann Steen Wiencke served as the CEO of Proactima from the company’s inception in 2003 until Trond Winther took over in 2018. During this period, Proactima established itself as one of the leading players in risk management, sustainability, HSE, and societal safety. Trond Winther is passing on the baton and moving on to new opportunities in the energy sector.

– The board believes that Hermann Steen Wiencke is the best person to lead Proactima into a new era. Hermann knows the company, its employees, the industry, the customers, the work processes, and the company culture. Additionally, he is one of the most prominent experts in the field. As a board member, he has ownership of the current strategy and the decisions made, and he aims to build upon the work done by the current leadership team. We are very pleased to have Hermann back at the helm, says Chairman Richard Heyerdhal.

Co-founder with a Strong Academic Profile

Hermann Steen Wiencke becomes the new CEO from January 2024. Photo: Proactima

Hermann Steen Wiencke and Richard Heyerdahl founded Proactima in 2003 with the aim of contributing to a safe and sustainable society. Wiencke likely has one of the country’s most extensive resumes in risk management and HSE management. He worked at DNV from 1990-2003 and has collaborated with the University of Stavanger (UIS) / IRIS for many years. He is frequently invited as a lecturer and course instructor. He has participated in numerous research projects and has published several articles, books, and guides in the field. Wiencke holds a degree in process engineering from NTH (NTNU) and a master’s degree in technology management from MIT/NTNU.

– I am looking forward to leading X and building upon the work done in recent years. We have incredibly talented professionals and a great leadership team that I am excited to work with. What we do is more relevant now than ever before, and we have a unique position in the market that we will continue to build upon, says Wiencke.

Wiencke enter his new role from the start of the year.

About Us

Proactima is a leading consulting firm in risk management, sustainability, HSE, and societal safety. Our clients work in a wide range of industries, disciplines, and sectors—including oil and gas, power and renewables, transportation and mobility, industry, and the public sector.

Some of the areas we work on include sustainability and transformation, emergency preparedness and societal safety, technical and operational consulting and analysis, development and innovation, training, and digital tools. What unites us and all our clients is that we all have our eyes set on the future—constantly seeking tomorrow’s solutions. We have offices in Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, and Stavanger and employ around 100 consultants.

Successful Gathering at Tensio

“Now it’s serious” for the Norwegian energy industry was one of the key messages during the first gathering of the year at Forum for risk management in the energy industry. The need for a better and more comprehensive overview of the consequences of power outage in society and increased cross-sector collaboration at regional and national levels is greater than ever.

-This is how the moderator and leader of the forum, Jens Thomas Sagør at Proactima, opened the first gathering of the year last week. Proactima has been the proud secretariat of the network that gathers participants from various parts of the energy industry for over ten years.

F.l: Lars Krøke, Sigurd Aamodt and Hans Wigen Finstad. All from the host in Tensio.

The backdrop for the gathering was the serious situation concerning critical infrastructure in an increasingly turbulent world and the need to find good solutions for successful risk management. Last week, about 25 participants gathered at Tensio in Stjørdal.

-The Forum for Risk Management in the Power Industry establishes relationships across companies and contributes to strengthening the professional environment for risk management in the industry, said Hans Wigen Finstad, Development Director at Tensio, who hosted the gathering last week.

Rune Paulsen, Head of Network Development and Strategy at Tensio, provided insight into capacity limitations in the power grid.

-In the broader picture, there are several capacity limitations in the grid, and everyone thinks that the ‘neighboring company’ will save us in deficit situations, but it is not possible with today’s total consumption. We need to find flexibilities in a more holistic view within the energy sector, break down silos between different actors, and look at society’s overall picture, said Paulsen.

Rune Paulsen at Tensio provided insight into capacity limitations in the power grid.

Christian Stav, CEO of NTE and member of Totalberedskapskommisjonen, presented a concise summary of the extensive commission work and addressed both strengths and weaknesses in Norwegian emergency preparedness.

Ann Karin Midtgaard, Head of Investigation at the Directorate for Civil Protection and Emergency Planning (DSB), provided insight into the AKS methodology (analysis of crisis scenarios) and the report “Risk Analysis of Energy Rationing.” The presentation of the results clearly demonstrated the need for a better comprehensive overview of the consequences of power outage in society and increased cross-sector collaboration at regional and national levels.

Rune Sjursen from Proactima shared experiences from a procurement project where Proactima has further developed a method for land risk assessment based on recommendations from national authorities, to reduce the risk of supply chain attacks from state or state-sponsored threat actors.

Rune Sjursen from Proactima shared experiences from land risk assessment to reduce the risk of supply chain attacks.

With its risk-based approach, Proactima has a long tradition of regulatory understanding combined with strategic and operational risk management in the sector. Proactima has assisted in many of the energy industry’s transformation processes to strengthen companies’ competitiveness, increase energy production, and play an active role in the green shift.

Forum Seeks More Participants

The forum is a platform for networking and exchanging expertise and experience about comprehensive risk management.

The target audience is leaders and professionals who work with risk management from a corporate perspective. Many experience a lack of professional sparring and support in their organization, and the Forum for Risk Management has precisely been a contribution in this regard. Over time, the forum has had participants working in various disciplines; management, HSE, financial management, IT security, operations, projects, etc.

Would you like to participate in the next gathering? The Forum for Risk Management in the Power Industry is looking for new participants. Contact Jens Thomas Sagør for information and participation.

Participation is free of charge.

How the Energy Industry Succeeds with Risk Management

The need for effective risk management in the power industry is more relevant than ever before. We require new knowledge, methods, and tools to understand and address risks.

This is the clear message from Jens Thomas Sagør, leader of business development and energy expert at Proactima.

Jens Thomas Sagør, leader of business development and energy expert at Proactima.

– The power industry is one of the most crucial pillars of our modern society and has a crucial significance for societal safety. After all, its main task is to supply Norway with electrical power—an essential part of our infrastructure.

Sagør believes that the entities best at identifying and managing risks and vulnerabilities secure clear competitive advantages.

-Norway has an energy deficit, and the production of renewable energy is necessary to meet future energy demands. We may transition from a situation of surplus to deficit in power within a few years, meaning we’ll become reliant on significant imports during dry years, along with external unrest and energy scarcity abroad. The industry is amidst significant technological shifts while undergoing restructuring and consolidation. Norway’s experience in energy production and our long coastline mean we have the world’s best prerequisites for success. However, it requires new knowledge, methods, and tools for us to succeed,” Sagør explains.

Energy Companies in Transition

In Eastern Norway, many businesses, especially industries, lack the ability to connect to the power grid. Supply security and grid capacity are not just matters of national security but also affect society’s ability to transition to green energy.

What are the challenges for the energy industry today?

-Energy companies are undergoing drastic changes. Actors must adapt to expanded operations in their business models, and risk management and corporate governance are aspects that must be mastered at both operational and strategic levels. Additionally, most actors are at the stage where they must define how the future power system will operate—and the industry is closely linked to digitization. Moreover, the number of grid companies will significantly decrease, leading to larger and fewer entities. Mergers of power companies and restructuring will be a focus in the industry for a long time,” says Sagør.

Norway is Unprepared for Energy Rationing

Earlier this fall, the Directorate for Civil Protection and Emergency Planning (DSB) published the report “Risk Analysis of Energy Rationing,” indicating that Norwegian society is largely unprepared for power rationing due to Norway’s historically ample access to electricity and high supply security.

-The consequence of power rationing affects us all and can lead to unrest and reduced welfare. Everything from limited access to groceries, delays in health services, unstable data and telecommunications, to limitations in water supply. It is also conceivable that there may be requirements to reduce power consumption at home, Sagør elaborates.

How should industry players navigate in this complex landscape?

-The whole point is to find the right balance between developing and creating value and avoiding accidents, damages, and losses. The combination of regulatory understanding and a holistic approach to risk management is the best recipe when facing the unknown.

Sagør adds that the current trends show that society as a whole is directing more focus, expectations, and demands towards the government, but he emphasizes that the public sector cannot handle the task alone and that the business sector must be aware of its responsibilities.

-Uncertain times with economic challenges, climate change, security unrest, and energy scarcity create expectations that the public sector must act and be in control. But we must not forget that the business sector has a responsibility to contribute to developing and sharing knowledge, methods, and tools that enable society to handle growing uncertainty and complexity. Therefore, our social responsibility at Proactima is to ensure that everyone has the structure, culture, competence, and leadership required to prevent risks and effectively manage incident.

DBS signs a new framework agreement for enhanced preparedness with RAYVN/Proactima

The Directorate for Civil Protection and Emergency Planning (DSB) has replaced its current provider of common emergency and crisis support tools and entered into a framework agreement with the Norwegian consortium RAYVN / Proactima to improve the collective public preparedness capability, the companies stated in a press release.

DSB’s new emergency and crisis support tools are intended to strengthen collaboration and effectively coordinate information and communication during unwanted incidents among public actors at all levels, as well as with private entities. Through DSB, directorates, county governors, civil defence districts, municipalities, and others involved in crisis management will have access to the new emergency and crisis support tools.

It is planned that DSB, municipalities, county governors, the Office of the High Commissioner for Svalbard and civil defence will have implemented the tool and established effective collaboration networks on the new digital collaboration platform starting from October 1st.

Read the full news article on DSB’s website: DSB signs framework agreement for common emergency and crisis support tools.


-We are proud and delighted that X is strengthening national preparedness through the procurement of a new digital tool with associated services. This agreement demonstrates that public emergency preparedness is evolving with renewal and a constant search for the best solutions. We look forward to delivering high-quality services that will help strengthen future public preparedness capabilities,” said co-founder and product manager Henrik von Schlanbusch at RAYVN.

RAYVN / Proactima is a wholly Norwegian consortium that stores all information in Norway and represents the best in technological solutions for crisis management systems, expertise, and capacity.

Out of nine qualified suppliers, four were invited to submit proposals, and RAYVN / Proactima scored the highest on all criteria: solution, quality, and price. The agreement includes an option for tools from Dmaze for risk and vulnerability analysis and exercise planning, as well as consultancy services.

-The public sector needs to enhance collaboration during crises. Our solution increases societal security and strengthens the preparedness capabilities of actors in this interplay. RAYVN / Proactima possesses the knowledge and tools to connect different actors on the same platform for collaboration in emergency planning, training, and management. With increased complexity, risk, and new vulnerabilities, new knowledge, methods, and tools are necessary to understand and handle risks,” said Trond Winther, CEO of Proactima.

From left to right: Carl W. Barth (SVP EMEA Sales RAYVN), Erik Skaara (Chief Business Development and Co-founder RAYVN), Henrik von Schlanbusch (Chief Product Officer and Co-founder), Trond Winther (CEO Proactima), Ivar Lunde (Head of Emergency and Crisis Management Proactima), and  Stian Hetlevik (Head of Digital Solutions Proactima).

Taking the Plunge

Sauna and ice bathing have become a popular trend in Norway. Never before have so many cold dips been documented on social media. However, this activity comes with inherent risks. Swimming, diving, jumping, boat traffic, and events in jovial company can challenge safety. We’ve taken a critical look at safety management.

Ragna Marie Fjeld from Oslo Badstueforening explains that the association started in 2016 with a group of enthusiasts who built a sauna raft using driftwood from Bjørvika.

-As interest in ice bathing grew, the association reached new heights. It’s a voluntary organization with a lot of enthusiasm and drive that has achieved a lot in a short time. One raft quickly turned into three, and there’s high activity at all of them. Various concepts and events are offered with the sauna rafts, says Fjeld.

-It’s crucial to scrutinize the management system to ensure you’re on the right track. Here, it was particularly important to focus on personal safety for both guests and staff.

Small in number, big in responsibility

With growth comes the need for safety and management. Sauna activities inherently carry risks. Oslo Sauna Association sought an impartial third party to assess their safety measures.

-It has been a pleasure to assist the Oslo Sauna Association with a critical look at their safety management, says our own diving expert and senior consultant, Hanne-Marit Berge at Proactima.

Berge adds that it was especially nice to see that the focus on safety was so pervasive, from governing documents and leadership to those out on the sauna rafts.

-The fact that they managed to implement this throughout speaks volumes about the strong culture in the association and the professionalism in their operations, says Berge.

Informal yet systematic and traceable

Hanne Marit Berge
Hanne-Marit Berge confirms the strong safety culture at Oslo Sauna Association.

Berge explains the process.

-We found an approach that suited them, while providing systematicity, structure, and traceability in what we did. We always base our work on recognized standards, relevant regulations, and legal frameworks. Here, we borrowed from the audit format and opted for a looser and more informal approach.

Relevant regulations, documentation, and interviews with selected roles such as representatives and sauna masters were conducted.

Berge further explains how a dynamic organization like the sauna association requires a dynamic approach.

-We managed to reduce formality but maintain the structure and work method to check and confirm their compliance with legal requirements. This made it more informal, which suited the dynamic nature of Oslo Sauna Association. The loose and informal approach lowered the threshold and seriousness when interviewing those involved. We engaged and involved the staff, receiving feedback on their perception of what the association does, how it’s done, and who we are, concludes Berge.

How to comply with the duty to inspect for the first time?

The oil company M Vest Energy is growing, and with growth come new regulatory requirements and responsibilities. When the company became a license partner in Draugen, Brage and Ivar Aasen, the oversight of producing fields and duty of care became a new area of responsibility for the fresh challenger. Read about the newcomer’s first inspection by Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority.

In the spring of 2023, M Vest Energy received a notice that the Petroleum Safety Authority Norway (PSA) would conduct an inspection of the license follow-up on Draugen. The first time an inspection is carried out, it’s always good to have a reliable sparring partner and support behind the scenes.

-We didn’t know what PSA expected from us during such an inspection, and we needed a sparring partner with knowledge and experience. Proactima helped us with preparations before the inspection. Proactima’s skilled consultants contributed to increasing our understanding of regulatory requirements for the duty of care and what it means for follow-up in practice. In addition, Proactima conducted a review of our management system with a focus on license follow-up and provided advice on adjustments and improvements, says Åse Skålnes Strømme, KHMS and Production Manager at M Vest Energy.

Åse Skålnes Strømme, KHMS and Production Manager at M Vest Energy.

Each company is responsible for safety in its own operations. This is a fundamental principle in petroleum regulations. Operators and licensees on the Norwegian continental shelf are obligated to ensure that their activities are carried out in a safe manner and in compliance with regulations. The description of how the duty of care should be handled is covered in the company’s management system.

Sonja Tinnesand, along with others in Proactima, has been at the forefront of safety and knowledge transfer to M Vest Energy.

-We often see that companies have most of the elements in place and need assistance in systematizing and documenting that they are doing what they should. M Vest Energy has the experience and expertise needed, and we at Proactima have assisted in increasing the understanding of how their activities and work processes meet regulatory requirements, explains Sonja.

Sonja has over 25 years of experience in risk management and HSE regulations, as well as many years of experience in establishing and revising management systems.

A Growing Young Player

The oil company M Vest Energy consists of 15 employees located in Bergen. The history began with Emergy Exploration becoming a license participant on the Norwegian continental shelf in 2012, while being acquired by færøyske Atlantic Petroleum. In 2016, the company’s activities, mainly on exploration licenses and their development, and employees were acquired by Trond Mohn and Lars Moldestads company M Vest Energy.

The initial years focused on exploration, with a clear strategy: to become a full-fledged oil company with revenue from production. In 2020, the strategy was realized when the company acquired a stake in the Polarled gas pipeline. In 2022, the company acquired stakes in  BrageDraugen and Ivar Aasen.

Sonja Tinnesand has assisted M Vest Energy in ensuring confidence in their duty of care role. Sonja brings over 25 years of experience in risk management, HSE regulations, and management systems.

Security in the Duty of Care Role

A partner audit is planned for the fall, and M Vest Energy will bring experience and expertise with them, thanks to the strong support from Sonja and Proactima.

PSAs job is to challenge and test our confidence. Sonja scrutinized our operations and reviewed our management system. She gave us confidence that what we are doing is good. We are a small company, and therefore, it’s important for us to develop competence and learning within the organization. We don’t want to outsource tasks; we are committed to learning and gaining experience in line with our growth. Proactima provided us with the confidence and support we needed, says Åse.

And how did the inspection go?

-We received very positive feedback from Petroleum Safety Authority Norway (PSA). They appreciated not only the presentation but also that we are a company working to develop our competence profile and have a clear ambition to bring value beyond the operator’s work, concludes Åse.