1. Mission and vision
Mission:
NOFO shall deliver a future-oriented, efficient and robust oil spill response that at all times is dimensioned in accordance with the operators’ needs and contingency plans for the Norwegian shelf.
Vision:
NOFO’s oil spill response will be characterized by needs-based dimensioning, national cooperation, operational capability and efficiency.
2. Introduction
For more than 45 years, NOFO has provided collective oil spill preparedness for the operating companies on the Norwegian continental shelf. The preparedness has been established to meet the requirements of each individual field, while at the same time taking care of the whole for the entire shelf.
NOFO’s role is to define, establish and maintain an emergency response that meets current requirements, and as an advisor to its members, NOFO shall offer leading expertise in oil spill response. NOFO shall possess the operational expertise to lead effective oil spill response operations in close cooperation with the individual operator.
Emergency preparedness is based on a unique national collaboration between private actors (NOFO), municipal units (IUA) and state authorities (the Norwegian Coastal Administration). NOFO will be a driving force for the further development of this cooperation.
The strategy for the period 2021-2025 had a particular focus on the development of preparedness elements such as the Barents Sea, coastal preparedness, resource cooperation between members, technology and sustainability. In the work on the new strategy, NOFO has carried out a broad review of its role, methods and expertise, with the aim of delivering a modern and effective oil spill response that meets the needs of its members, not only for the next strategy period, but also for the coming decades.
NOFO’s documented delivery capability in barriers 1 and 2 – close to the source of the spill – constitutes a strategic core point. With high operational robustness, dedicated equipment, trained vessels and an organization with the ability to respond quickly, this will remain central to the strategy.
The strategy for the period 2026-2030 highlights the measures considered most critical to ensure that NOFO continues to meet its members’ long-term needs for oil spill preparedness:
- Robust and efficient oil spill response – with the right dimensioning, technology and operating model.
- Strengthened collaboration – with members, public and private emergency response actors and NOFO’s suppliers.
- Continuous development – through optimal use of resources, innovation and learning.
The strategy will form the basis for how NOFO prioritizes its efforts in the years to come. The new strategy will not only answer how NOFO can best be organized and operated, but also guide which areas and initiatives should be prioritized to strengthen Norwegian oil spill preparedness in the face of new requirements and expectations. This includes both robust solutions at sea and along the coast, as well as close interaction with the operating companies and public actors.
Through this work, NOFO wants to be a clear player that contributes to effective oil spill response – for the sake of the sea
3. Context
The need for oil spill preparedness on the Norwegian continental shelf is expected to remain stable throughout the strategy period 2026-2030 and into the next decade. At the same time, trends indicate that there may be increased activity and thus higher emergency response needs in areas such as the Barents Sea and the North Sea.
The dimensioning of oil spill preparedness is governed by the operators’ analysis of the spill potential for each individual field, as well as modeling of the oil’s behavior at sea. Changes in the oil’s properties and expected operations can affect the requirements for the scope and design of the emergency response.
Society’s expectations regarding the handling of undesirable discharges from the petroleum industry are considered to be stable, but can quickly change in the event of major incidents or if preparedness is perceived as inadequate. The strategy must therefore take into account both operational requirements and public confidence in oil spill preparedness.
The total defense perspective has received increased attention in national preparedness work. Although this does not provide a direct basis for changes to NOFO’s strategy, developments will be closely monitored to ensure that NOFO’s emergency preparedness is adapted to relevant national needs and expectations.
Technological developments, including the use of artificial intelligence, are rapidly changing the premises for monitoring, analysis and operational decision-making. This provides significant opportunities for increased efficiency, while at the same time placing new demands on expertise, organization and continuous development of the emergency response model.
To ensure that NOFO meets the demands of the future and delivers on its mission, it is based on some fundamental assumptions. These are important for how emergency preparedness should be planned, organized and further developed:
- NOFO shall dimension and manage the collective emergency preparedness, which shall be transparent, documentable and in accordance with NOFO’s plans.
- The emergency response organization must be competent, trained and exercised under realistic conditions to ensure the emergency response is operational and realistic.
- Fighting close to the source should be the main principle. Early intervention and efficient handling are crucial.
- The main control strategies are mechanical collection and chemical dispersion, while other methods are continuously being evaluated.
- The emergency response organization will ensure effective and coordinated efforts and is based on the principles of the Incident Command System (ICS).
- Oil spill preparedness must have the resilience to handle one major incident lasting up to 60 days.
- NOFO’s plans, methods and exercises must be effective and developed with a view to ensuring effective emergency preparedness, operational capability and optimized resource consumption.
These assumptions form the basis for NOFO’s strategic priorities and set the direction for NOFO’s future development.
4. Main objectives
Based on the operators’ needs, NOFO’s needs and experience from the previous strategy period, NOFO has defined the following goals for 2026-2030:
4.1 Robust and effective oil spill response
Oil spill response must be appropriate and correctly dimensioned, with the necessary quality and expertise in all barriers, stages and activities for which NOFO is responsible.
4.2 Strengthened collaboration
NOFO will deliver an efficient and robust oil spill response based on NOFO’s operational capability and core competence, with a clear and integrated collaboration with members, national players and NOFO’s suppliers.
4.3 Continuous improvement
NOFO will engage in effective learning and development to ensure appropriate oil spill preparedness, which includes training, proper competence, technology development and innovation.
4.1 Robust and effective oil spill response
Oil spill response must be appropriate and correctly dimensioned, with the necessary quality and expertise in all barriers, stages and activities for which NOFO is responsible.
Prerequisites
NOFO ensures a robust and effective oil spill response through correct collective dimensioning of response resources, functioning equipment through correct use and quality of maintenance, as well as operational capability through systematic and targeted education, training and interaction. A rapid, robust and effective response requires a clear understanding of roles and available resources.
The following assumptions are made;
- The level of preparedness shall be dimensioned according to the members’ needs.
- Training and collaboration must be systematic and targeted to ensure emergency preparedness.
- Equipment must be maintained and used efficiently to reduce wear and ensure availability.
- A clear division of roles and a good overview of available resources are crucial for a fast and effective response.
Correct dimensioning and strengthened endurance
The dimensioning of oil spill preparedness must be based on updated professional analyses of preparedness needs and available preparedness resources.
NOFO will develop and use modeling tools that support risk-based and cost-effective capacity planning of emergency preparedness in all barriers, and that help ensure that resources are correctly positioned for rapid and robust efforts.
Effective training methods and exercises
Quality and competence in emergency preparedness will be strengthened through targeted training and realistic exercises.
NOFO will use effective training methods, including simulation and digital tools, to ensure operational preparedness throughout the organization and with partners. The training courses must be standardized, measurable and adapted to different roles and levels.
The right response structure and organization
NOFO must have a response structure that meets defined performance requirements and complements the operators’ own emergency preparedness. This entails a clear division of roles, efficient on-call arrangements and good interaction with operators and other emergency response actors.
NOFO will be a robust and flexible part of a comprehensive emergency response, with particular focus on barriers 1 and 2, and improve coastal preparedness through increased cooperation with other players.
4.2 Strengthened collaboration
NOFO will deliver an efficient and robust oil spill response based on NOFO’s operational capability and core competence, and with a clear and integrated collaboration with its members, national players and NOFO’s suppliers.
Prerequisites
The Norwegian oil spill response is built on a broad national collaboration where common situational awareness, clarified roles, organization and methods are critical to ensure confidence that the response is robust and effective.
The following assumptions are made;
- Trust and transparency in collaboration with members, authorities and suppliers.
- Common standards and a clear division of roles in preparedness work.
- Operational coordination must be supported by good tools and common processes.
- Continuous experience sharing and learning across stakeholders.
- Mutual commitment between NOFO and its members in orders and deliveries.
- Clarified collaboration that involves clarified interfaces, expectations and decision-making lines to ensure good actionability.
Correct dimensioning and strengthened endurance
The dimensioning of oil spill preparedness must be based on updated professional analyses of preparedness needs and available preparedness resources.
NOFO will develop and use modeling tools that support risk-based and cost-effective capacity planning of emergency preparedness in all barriers, and that help ensure that resources are correctly positioned for rapid and robust efforts.
Effective training methods and exercises
Quality and competence in emergency preparedness will be strengthened through targeted training and realistic exercises.
NOFO will use effective training methods, including simulation and digital tools, to ensure operational preparedness throughout the organization and with partners. The training courses must be standardized, measurable and adapted to different roles and levels.
The right response structure and organization
NOFO must have a response structure that meets defined performance requirements and complements the operators’ own emergency preparedness. This entails a clear division of roles, efficient on-call arrangements and good interaction with operators and other emergency response actors.
NOFO will be a robust and flexible part of a comprehensive emergency response, with particular focus on barriers 1 and 2, and improve coastal preparedness through increased cooperation with other players.
4.3 Continuous improvement
NOFO will engage in effective learning and development to ensure appropriate oil spill preparedness, which includes training, proper competence, technology development and innovation.
Prerequisites
To ensure that NOFO remains relevant and cost-effective over time, improvement work must be systematic and rooted in both experience and new knowledge.
The following assumptions are made;
- NOFO must have the capacity and culture for learning, experimentation and adaptation.
- Market-based solutions must be considered where they increase quality or reduce costs.
- Changes in technology, regulations and needs must be quickly translated into practical improvements.
- New methods and technology will be considered for implementation based on national and international best practice
- The organization must be simple, flexible and clear in structure and responsibility
Continuous improvement in NOFO
NOFO will simplify its organizational structure and work processes in order to strengthen implementation capacity and decision-making power. At the same time, a culture of learning and improvement will promote the use of new technology, experience sharing and continuous adaptation to change, both operationally and strategically.
Effective use of market solutions
NOFO shall facilitate technology development and innovation together with relevant players and suppliers. Where possible and appropriate, NOFO will use commercially available solutions and services. This applies to technology, equipment, systems and expertise. The aim is to ensure high quality and the lowest possible total cost – without weakening NOFO’s core expertise or preparedness capability.
NOFO to develop tomorrow’s oil spill response
NOFO will be a driving force for the development of mitigation strategies that can meet future requirements for oil protection, physical working environment and cost efficiency.
In cooperation with its members, NOFO will develop a clear and effective management and organization of oil spill response operations, which uses and further develops NOFO’s expertise.
5. The way forward
NOFO’s strategy for 2026-2030 is based on an ambition for higher quality, better utilization of resources, and a more flexible organization. Topics that will continue to be key areas for NOFO in the period ahead include:
Technology
NOFO will continue to use and further develop technology that strengthens emergency preparedness capacity both at sea and along the coast. This includes improved oil spill response equipment, the use of drones for remote sensing, and the integration of technology in training setups (VR, AI and e-learning). Technology will support both efficiency and quality in NOFO’s deliveries.
Digitization
In order to streamline operations, strengthen the decision-making basis and improve learning across the organization, NOFO will increase the use of digital tools and data. Examples include an increased degree of digital planning, a response time calculator, increased use of AI tools, and improved IT solutions for operational interaction.
Market
NOFO will use the market more efficiently. This will contribute to increased flexibility, cost efficiency and better use of resources. The use and scope of technology, digitization and the market must always be weighed against needs and effect, in order to ensure the sustainable operation of NOFO.
- Robust and efficient oil spill response
- Strengthened collaboration
- Continuous improvement
- Implementation phase for new strategy and priorities
- Organization is adapted to new strategy and in operation
- Internal task set focused around core tasks
- Implementation of strategic initiatives
- Cost-effective dimensioning of emergency preparedness with clarified interfaces with members and partners
- Increased use of AI and digitalization for streamlined operations
- Sustainable and efficient organization characterized by a strong learning and improvement culture
- Consistently high quality in deliveries to members – adapted to needs