In the event of an oil spill, our task is to limit the extent of the damage as much as possible. We are a preparedness organization that aims to meet our members’ needs for effective and robust oil spill preparedness.
We take pride in the fact that no oil from Norwegian oil activities has ever reached the shoreline. Nevertheless, NOFO has become a model for other countries’ oil spill preparedness.
This is NOFO
- A head office in Sandnes and a office in Hammerfest
- NOFO raises the level of expertise and competence in oil spill preparedness through training, consultancy, and technological development
- NOFO seeks to strengthen local environmental efforts and oil spill
preparedness by means of active collaboration with Inter-Municipal - Committees against Acute Pollution (IUAs) and is part of the national
preparedness model, which brings together oil spill response resources in the public and private sectors. - NOFO continuously improves oil spill preparedness by developing and
implementing new technology.
Responsibility in the event of spills
The operating companies bear responsibility for activities onboard the platform and within the well. NOFO assumes responsibility if oil spills from offshore installations reach the surface of the sea.
Ship-related incidents fall within the purview of the Norwegian Coastal Administration (NCA). However, NOFO frequently offers assistance in such cases, maintaining close and effective collaboration with the NCA and other entities involved in municipal and private-sector oil spill response.
Operators are the members and owners
NOFO operates on behalf of the operating companies, serving as a mechanism to share the costs of oil spill preparedness. Membership with NOFO ensures robust and effective oil spill preparedness, providing the operating companies with the assurance that, in the event of an oil spill, they will be met with highly competent staff, efficient handling, and optimal resources.
Over 250 annual exercises for equipment and personnel
Every year, NOFO conducts well over 250 exercises where all oil spill response vessels, tugs and equipment undergo exercises and are verified. In this way, incident commanders, equipment operators and maritime crews also receive valuable training in NOFO equipment. There are also exercises together with oil companies and with state, municipal and private partners.
The people who will operate the equipment must also be tested. NOFO holds up to 60 courses a year involving more than 1,000 people. These courses cover all aspects of oil spill preparedness. NOFO does this to ensure the necessary expertise throughout the organization.
Oil on water
Norway stands among the few countries permitting controlled oil releases into the sea for equipment and procedure testing. This practice is crucial for advancing NOFO’s oil spill response equipment.
These drills have garnered significant interest and contributed to countries like the USA, Canada, Japan, Brazil, and Russia acquiring equipment equivalent to NOFO.
Founding of NOFO after the Bravo Accident in 1978
NOFO’s establishment in 1978 directly followed the Bravo blowout on the Ekofisk field in the North Sea in 1977. This incident prompted a substantial commitment to developing Norway’s oil spill response technology, including the creation of the first skimmer and a novel oil boom.
New generations of sea-going oil spill response equipment were subsequently developed and delivered in the 1980s and 90s.
Much has happened since then, and NOFO is now at the forefront of preparedness, training, and technological developments in oil spill preparedness work.
About NOFO
Effective and robust oil spill preparedness, planned in accordance with the operators’ contingency plans
Emergency response resources
Good plans, proper training and modern equipment. Get an overview of our resources.
Contact us
Contact information for NOFO and our employees.