NorLense brings Norwegian oil spill and shelter solutions to the world

NorLense began setting the standard for Norwegian oil spill response shortly after the 1977 Ekofisk Bravo blowout, with a delivery of 10 000 metres of containment booms.

In 1990 its innovative ring boom with single-point inflation became the preferred solution in the North Sea. In 2015 the company went a step further with its Oil Trawl, a three-in-one oil spill recovery solution that collects spilled oil, separates it from the water, and stores it in a bag – all in one operation, using a single vessel.

In the early 2000s, NorLense adapted its high-pressure inflation technology for another application, working with Norway’s Civil Defence and Armed Forces to develop rapidly deployable, high-pressure inflatable tents for use as temporary shelters. Today, these form the heart of the company’s business alongside its oil spill recovery equipment and aquaculture solutions.

A number of NorLense’s products have been awarded Made in Norway certification. These include the NO-T-600-S and NO-T-1000-S Oil Trawls, which efficiently and reliably collect and temporarily store recovered oil even in demanding conditions, and the NO-800-R to NO-1370-R offshore oil containment booms, which comply with NOFO standards and are renowned and trusted throughout the offshore industry. They also include the SWIFT high-pressure inflatable tents, which remain stable for months without additional air supply and can withstand heavy winds, snow, extreme heat and cold, and extreme temperature changes.

“Made in Norway is a confirmation of what we already are and stand for. All development, testing and production take place here in Fiskebøl, built on Arctic and international expertise in harsh climates. We are proud to show that our products are developed and made in Norway,” says Veslemøy Ellinggard, CEO of NorLense.

According to Ellinggard, the Made in Norway label strengthens NorLense’s position. “For our customers, the label gives a clear answer to questions about traceability, quality and reliability before they even ask,” she adds.

That answer matters. NorLense operates in tremendously competitive international markets. Its customers include oil companies, defence ministries, government agencies and humanitarian aid organisations, all of whom place exceptionally high demands on the quality, reliability and performance of equipment that has to work under pressure, often far from help.

In these markets, Norwegian origin is widely regarded as a mark of quality, associated with robustness, innovation and professionalism. At the same time, it is no secret that manufacturing in Norway is more expensive than in some low-cost countries.

“That is why NorLense must continually demonstrate the value we deliver through longer product lifespans, superior performance and reduced operational risk,” says Ellinggard.

The Made in Norway label is now part of how NorLense presents itself everywhere, on products, in technical documentation, on its website, in brochures and in customer meetings.

It is a simple way of telling a story that has held true since 1975 about high-performance equipment developed and manufactured in the Arctic for the world’s toughest operations. For international buyers comparing suppliers, that origin is not just a backstory, it may be a deciding factor.