Expecting Strong Activity and Steady Demand

Following a longer period of market uncertainty, several major contracts have now been awarded on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. This brings much-needed clarity about upcoming activity and resource needs - and provides a more stable outlook across the industry. For skilled engineers, it signals that new positions and assignments will steadily open up in the coming months.

– It’s been difficult to plan when no one knew which contracts were coming. Now that the picture is clearer, the entire market feels more secure. It’s finally possible to plan staffing and recruitment needs going forward, says Karl Vegard Blindheim at NECON.

Strong Activity Ahead

The new contracts are set to begin already this spring, and several operators are now evaluating their available resources and anticipating new needs. For experienced engineers, it’s a clear sign that the market is picking up again. According to Blindheim, the industry has been in a holding pattern for quite some time. The lack of contract awards made it challenging to plan workforce needs – especially with 2026 on the horizon.
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– Nothing gets said before the contracts are officially awarded. That leaves both companies and candidates sitting on the fence, waiting in uncertainty, he says.
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Now the situation has changed. The market has more structure, and long-term signals are pointing to high activity in oil and gas production through to 2035. While there are fewer new builds than before, activity in maintenance and modifications is running at a high level. The demand for technical expertise is significant.
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– There’s demand across all engineering disciplines. It fluctuates, of course, but overall, 2026 is shaping up to be a year with good, steady activity, says Blindheim.
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Are you considering a new challenge – or simply curious about what’s out there? Submit an open application and your CV via our system, and we’ll get in touch when the right opportunity comes along.

Close to the Market – and the Projects

NECON is closely connected to the market and collaborates with several of the companies that have now been awarded new contracts. These are companies NECON has worked with for many years - companies that know the value NECON brings in both competence and delivery.
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– We’re not a newcomer knocking on doors trying to introduce ourselves. They know who NECON is, and they know the quality we’ve delivered on previous projects.
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This position gives NECON early insight into upcoming needs and into which disciplines will require additional resources. New roles and assignments will continue to emerge in areas where NECON has long-standing expertise.
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– The contracts have now been redistributed, and planning is underway. Most of the roles that will become available are the same kinds of positions NECON has worked with throughout our history. If you’re in touch with NECON, you can be confident we’ll have exciting opportunities for you going forward, says Blindheim.
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He emphasizes that NECON is heading into 2026 with a solid foundation, a strong network, and close partnerships with companies that need qualified people.
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– The market we’re working in now appears both robust and promising. We see strong potential within maintenance, modifications, and related services – and NECON is well positioned for the road ahead.