Norwell Engineering showcases its new e-learning platform

Media release

Norwell Engineering (Norwell), a drilling firm based in Aberdeen, Scotland is exploring how its new online training programme could benefit East Africa’s oil and gas operations as part of a trade delegation to Uganda and Tanzania this week.

The company, which is one of the world’s longest established and most respected drilling project and well management companies, will meet with members of the Ugandan and Tanzanian governments, universities and both International and National Oil Companies during a nine-day visit.

Norwell’s world-class training system, Norwell EDGE, is currently in development and aims to provide affordable, high-quality and comprehensive training to the global, upstream oil and gas sector.

The visit is part of a Scottish Development International (SDI) trade delegation to the region, in conjunction the UK Department for International Trade. SDI is supporting the development phase of Norwell EDGE.

Uganda has announced plans to drill 400 wells, build a $3.55B 1700km heated pipeline that will run to the coast in Tanzania, a refinery and airport, and establish an industrial zone in Kampala. In Tanzania, offshore drilling will commence as soon as the LNG plants and associated infrastructure are complete, with the heated pipeline ending in Tanga Port where a $2B port development will take place.

Mike Adams, Norwell Engineering’s New Ventures Manager, said: “Norwell EDGE is the first comprehensive and affordable training platform designed specifically for the upstream oil and gas sector. We have seen first-hand the need to improve training opportunities for oil and gas personnel around the world. This is especially the case in emerging markets such as Uganda and Tanzania where improving affordable access to the best industry training, without people having to leave their home country, would have a major positive impact

“I have lost count of the number of projects we have been involved with where large numbers of personnel are struggling because they either can’t afford or don’t have access to quality training. Norwell EDGE aims to revolutionise the industry – creating a level playing field for oil and gas training, which in turn will also improve the quality and safety of operational activity.”

Norwell Engineering has extensive experience of delivering programmes on behalf of National Oil Companies in emerging markets. Their belief in the need to empower individuals within the oil and gas sector, especially in emerging regions, has driven the principal that EDGE should be affordable to everyone in the industry no matter where they are based. Subscriptions are available monthly for both individuals and companies and with no contracts and intelligent billing they manage to keep the costs as low as possible for users.

What’s more, the tool puts power back in the hands of individuals with EDGE staying with them throughout their career. User profiles, training history and completed modules will always be free to access. This enables users to move between oil and gas companies or take a break from training without it expiring. It also enables employers to audit the training each employee has completed and gain a much more accurate understanding of people’s capabilities.

Commenting, Ewen Cameron, Head of Trade and Investment for Energy at Scottish Development International said: “This type of mission provides a really valuable opportunity for companies like Norwell to make local connections and test new innovations on the ground in target markets.

“This particular mission comes at a crucial time in the development of the East African oil & gas industry and I believe that if ambitious Scottish companies can get in a foot in this market now and forge partnerships with African operators, the potential payoff is huge.”