History

The political and administrative authorities of Kristiansund commenced at an early date their work with oil related initiatives as a means of attracting the land-based oil activity on the continental shelf outside of Mid-Norway, nort of 62°. As early as 1970 an oil committee was appointed, with Otto Dyb, William Dall, Kr. Sylthe and others playing key roles in the task of putting Kristiansund on the map of oil-related activities.

An interdepartmental task force gave its recommendation to the Norwegian Parliament that Kristiansund should be selected as the main service base for exploration activity in connection with petroleum outside of Mid-Norway. This was done based on Kristiansund's strategic location with regard to exploration areas and because of the political effects in the region of such an establishment.

Through a governmental decision, the Parliament appointed Kristiansund in1975 as the main service base for oil exploration north of 62° outside of Møre and Trøndelag. The county council of Møre and Romsdal and the Mid-Norway Oil Council endorsed the decision.

The governmental appointment of Kristiansund as main service base led to an extensive planning of measures and investments on the part of Kristiansund municipality, the oil companies, private companies and the government, particularly the Ministry of Aviation. In order to best pave the way for this activity, the municipality purchased an area of 180,000 m2 in Vikan, which was earmarked for base purposes.

In 1978 a collaboration agreement was formed between the municipality of Kristiansund and Den norske stats oiljeselskapet a.s. (Statoil ASA) for construction of the Vestbase supply base.

1980 © Fotograf Engvig	1985 © Fotograf Engvig
1994 © Fotograf Engvig	2008 © Harald M. Valderhaug

Vestbase is located at Omagt. 110c in Vikan. It is strategically situated, 3 kilometers from Kristiansund airport, Kverngerget, with a helicopter terminal and 6 kilometers from downtown Kristiansund.

Although the exploration activity which commenced in 1980 did not in itself result directly in a great number of jobs or far-reaching repercussions, it did necessitate the establishment of a quay for supply vessels, storage space for oil exploration equipment, administration offices for the oil companies, etc. The authorities therefore commissioned Statoil ASA to provide for the development of Vestbase.

Kristiansund municipality built up the municipal engineering works while Statoil ASA, who leased the area, saw to and financed development of the base with all necessary facilities.

The first building phase of the base was completed in 1980, simultaneous to the commencement of exploration activity at Haltenbanken. Saga Petroleum a.s., with the drilling rig BORGNY DOLPHIN, was however the first operator.

In 1994 Vestbase spun-off, forming an operating company (Vestbase AS) and a holding company (Vikan Eiendom AS). In connection with the development of the base there are today a number of holding companies,among these are Vikan Næringspark Invest AS.

Vestbase AS is 100% owned by NorSeaGroup AS , the leading national actor within harbour and base operations.

Other important milestones:

In 1994 the first platform was installed at Haltenbanken, DRAUGEN, operator: A/S Norske Shell
In 1995 Heidrun, platform, operator: StatoilHydro ASA
In 1997 Njord, platform, operator: StatoilHydro ASA
In 1999 Åsgard A, drilling vessel, operator: StatoilHydro ASA
In 2000 Åsgard B, platform, operator: StatoilHydro ASA
In 2005 Kristin, platform, operator: StatoilHydro ASA

All the platforms are today supplied from Vestbase

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