Goliat set to leave Korea
On Tuesday 3 February, the Goliat platform was towed onboard the world’s largest heavy-duty transportation ship, Dockwise Vanguard. The ship, and Goliat, will soon embark on a journey around Africa and on to Hammerfest and the Goliat field; the trip is expected to take approximately two months.
Arne Bugge-Jensen wished Goliat goodbye at the end of January. Three-and-a-half years in Korea wasn't enough and he is returning to take on a new challenge.
The departure from the Hyundai shipping yard in Korea marks a significant milestone for Eni Norge, the company expects the platform to arrive in Hammerfest by mid-April. After a short stay in Hammerfest, the platform will be towed to the Goliat field in the Barents Sea.
Seven years on Goliat
The transportation of the platform from Korea is a landmark event for many Omega employees; around 90 employees have been involved in the project, both in Korea and at Eni Norge’s headquarters in Stavanger. Our first employee on the project, Ola Ånestad, joined as early as April 2008; he completed his assignment by the summer of 2014.
With the move of the platform from Korea, most Omega employees will see their assignments come to an end. Arne Bugge-Jensen is one of our employees returning to Norge after his assignment ended in January.
“It was a very interesting three-and-a-half years for me. It was my first assignment as a consultant and my first assignment abroad. I left for Korea with a combination of fear and joyful anticipation in June 2011,” says Bugge-Jensen.
One year became three-and-a-half
“My contract originally lasted for a year, with the possibility of a one year extension, until the Goliat platform was completed as per the original plans for the project. It was a little nerve-wracking to leave a safe and good job in the Haugaland region in order to travel to Ulsan, a city of over one million inhabitants, were I basically knew no one,” Bugge-Jensen recalls.
“I gave myself two months to get settled and I have not looked back since. The fact that the project was delayed for another year-and-a-half was a positive thing for me. They have been very eventful and interesting years. I enjoyed Korea so much I decided to start a new assignment with Statoil there and will be leaving in a couple of days,” says Bugge-Jensen.
“Unfortunately, I was not able to take on this assignment through Omega, as only suppliers for the international frame agreement were to supply candidates. The support I received from Omega during my assignment with Goliat was incredible, and I would have preferred to stay with the same employer. The openness, honesty, and quick response from the Administration and Service Center in times of need were invaluable, especially when I was involved in a motorcycle accident.”
Omega insurance ensured care
Together with five others, Bugge-Jensen had gone for one of his many motorcycle trips around Ulsan. It was around the time the bird flu was prevalent in Asia and all vehicles entering Ulsan had to be sprayed with a disinfectant, including the motorcycles and the people driving them.
“I had the visor on the helmet open, and some of the disinfectant was sprayed in my face. After a couple of kilometers, I blacked out while riding the bike, hit the road fence and skidded between two cars on the highway. This resulted in a broken arm and foot.”
“The insurance through Omega was great to have at a time like this. Korean hospitals are amazing, as long as you have the funds to cover your stay. You have to pay for every single service; Korean families often have a family member stay with them in their room to avoid extra costs for basic care. I had to cover all the costs, and the quick follow up from Omega headquarters was essential in this situation,” says Bugge-Jensen.
Five days later, he was back at work and out riding his motorcycle not long after that.
“Motorbike riding is a great interest of mine; even after the accident, I have ridden several thousand kilometers around Korea,” says Bugge-Jensen.
A multicultural experience
In spite of the accident, Arne Bugge-Jensen looks back on his years in Korea happily. He recalls experiencing the cultural differences, recognising that the Korean’s would keep their cards close, noticing the change in regime when the Italians took over more of the responsibility than the Norwegians, and the social environment he has been a part of shaping.
“I have had the opportunity to work with people from all over the world. Close to 50 different nationalities were represented on the project. Several of us made close connections and became friends outside of the workplace. We arranged dinners together, travelled, and experienced various places across Asia. I am looking forward to going back again,” concludes Bugge-Jensen.