Big picture. Tiny details.
The 31st edition of UTC - the Underwater Technology Conference opened in Bergen this week – the world’s longest-running conference dedicated to subsea technology.
Delegates from more than 20 nations gathered to share insight, showcase innovation, learn from each other – and build connections.
Bergen’s mayor, Marit Warncke (photo), kicked things off with a clear message: those who believe Norway simply “got lucky” with oil and gas have no idea what it took.
Photo by Morten Sæle.
The lives. The risk. The engineering leaps. And the courage to push forward, out of sight, in rough seas, deep below the surface. (and the testing of men and women before rats in some cases, but that story reamins between here and the audience).
That’s where Norwegian – and especially Bergen-based – companies built world-leading technology. And that’s where they continue to lead the way toward a sustainable ocean industry according to the mayor.
Macro and micro perspectives
52% of the world’s population – and energy users – is concentrated in just 17 countries. Many are scaling up. Building cities, factories, futures. Energy access is key. And still, only 15% of people on the planet have ever been on a plane. That puts things in perspective.
We got a pretty good macro- and micro-perspective during the conference, where speakers zoomed out – and all the way in. From valves, systems, and smart solutions. To innovation that are in the pipeline – and mindsets that must shift to implement them, like AI.
One panelist shared how rugby players take ballet classes to improve balance and prevent injuries, an example of re-thinking across disciplines.
Photo: Cecilie Sælen from CCB Subsea, led a panel debate about the future of subsea. Photo by Morten Sæle.
UTC Award
Winners of the UTC Award 2025 were Reach Remote – by Reach Subsea and Kongsberg Maritime, and TechnipFMC with their Riserless Coiled Tubing operation.
Read more about the winning projects.
Young Talent Award
The Young Talent Award 2025 was presented to Emil Carlunger for outstanding work in developing cathodic protection simulations during his internship at Aker Solutions.
Thank you to everyone who joined us – and helped make this year’s conference something special.
📸 Watch the photo recap (sound on): From sold-out field trip to Northern Lights and TechnipFMC to the conference at Verftet in Bergen. All photos by Morten Sæle.
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