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Pioneer Divers in the Norwegian Sector of the North Sea


Case updates from Upstream

“Upstream” has been following the NSDA case for eight years now. I thought it would be a good idea to show the chronology of events as seen through the eyes of a well respected industrial journal.

The most recent articles were written by Christopher Hopson and appeared on 27 July 2007. These sum up quite well the current status of the case.

This article was originally published by the international oil & gas newspaper Upstream on 27 July 2007, and appears here with the express permission of Upstream. All articles appearing in Upstream are protected by copyright. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.

Erik Means
Editor-in-chief, Upstream


NORWAY MUST LOOK TO ITS OWN

Recognition should be given to the many divers who paid a high price helping to create the country’s modern wealth

Comment
CHRISTOPHER HOPSON
London

THE SAD saga of the long battle by former deepsea divers to win proper compensation and other benefits from Norway for the severe health problems they have endured since the North Sea’s early days reflects badly on politicians and the oil industry alike.
26 July 2007
2007-07-26.1_Norway_must_look_to_its_own.pdf

Landmark legal case scheduled to be heard in Oslo could bring ‘pioneers’ of North Sea oil industry the recognition they say they clearly deserve

NORWAY DIVERS SEEK SUPPORT

Christopher Hopson, London

Norway, a country that for years has championed the cause of international human rights, will soon face a hugely embarrassing lawsuit at home from a group of former deeps ea divers intent on proving their lives were placed at risk and their rights ignored during the early days of the North Sea.
26 July 2007
Landmark_legal_case.pdf

VETERANS DEMAND MORE RECOGNITION

The prime demands of the NSDA in the case will be for official recognition of the divers role in the development of the Norwegian oil industry and a properly financed health care system to ensure their long-term welfare.
26 July 2007
2007-07-26.3_Veterans_demand_recognition.pdf

GOVERNMENT FIGHTS CORNER TO SHOW ITS HAS TAKEN POLITICAL RESPONSIBILITY

THE Norwegian government has outlined “several actions” taken over recent years to show moral and political responsibility for the pioneer divers who are about to launch a major legal challenge, writes Christopher Hopson.
26 July 2007
2007-07-26.4_Government_fights_corner.pdf

STATOIL SCHEME THE ONLY ‘STREAK OF DECENCY’

Statoil has maintained the legal action being taken by the pioneer divers in the Oslo court is directed against the state and is not aimed at the oil companies working in the country.
26 July 2007
2007-07-26.5_Statoil_scheme_the_only.pdf

MINOR EFFECTS’ SHOULD BE NO DETERRENT

MEDICAL experts have tried to reassure the deepsea diving industry that the long-term health effects of the work are mostly minor in nature, although there is a continuing need to improve on all aspects of safety within the industry.
26 July 2007
2007-07-26.6_Minor_effects.pdf

NORWEGIAN DIVERS SEEK DAMAGES

By Upstream staff

Deepsea divers have begun a lawsuit in the Oslo district court against the Norwegian government claiming their health was ruined during the early days of the offshore industry when they were not made aware of the risks of diving to new depths as part of their work.
02 March 2007
2007-03-02_Norwegian_divers_seek_damages.pdf

NORWAY’S DEEP SEA PIONEERS SUE

By Upstream staff

Norway faces a lawsuit from pioneering divers who helped to establish the country’s offshore oil industry, claiming they were not made aware of the risks of diving to new depths as part of their work.
27 November 2006
2006-11-27_Norways_deepsea_pioneers_sue.pdf

DIVERS REJECT CASH OFFER

By Upstream staff

Representatives for Norwegian North Sea divers are set to reject an offer, made by a parliamentary committee, of up to Nkr2.5 million ($350,000) in compensation for work-related injuries.
03 March 2004


HOPES RAISED FOR NORWAY DIVERS

By Upstream staff

The Norwegian parliament looks likely to vote in favour of paying compensation to about 150 pioneer North Sea divers.
23 February 2004


DIVERS FACE MORE HEARTACHE

By Upstream staff

A Norwegian minister has confirmed that pioneering divers who suffered health problems as a result of the work they carried out during the early days of the country’s oil industry will not be compensated through a state insurance fund.
17 June 2003


DIVERS REPORT ‘FLAWED’

By Upstream staff

The Norwegian North Sea divers organisation Nordsjoaliansen has voiced scepticism about a government White Paper on pioneer divers’ health conditions.
09 April 2003


NORWAY FACES ACCOUNTABILITY FOR DIVING ‘PIONEERS’

By Upstream staff

The Norwegian state and operating companies could be held liable for health problems suffered by the pioneering divers that worked during the early years of Norway’s oil industry, according to a government-appointed investigative commission.
09 January 2003


NORWEGIAN DIVISION IN DIVER PROBE

By Upstream staff

A Norwegian government-appointed investigative commission that is looking into responsibilities for the treatment of pioneering North Sea divers is on a collision course with the oil workers’ unions.
03 July 2002


DIVER PAYOUT TOTALS $9.3M

By Upstream staff

A total of 123 offshore divers and surviving relatives will receive Nkr75 million ($9.3 million) under Norwegian oil company Statoil’s support scheme for the North Sea pioneers.
30 May 2002


DIVERS NOT LEFT TO SINK

Statoil aid for former North Sea workers

By Upstream staff

Divers whose ability to work was diminished after serving on the Norwegian continental shelf between 1965 and 1990 are to receive financial aid from Norwegian oil major Statoil.
29 October 2001


NORWAY TAKES FRESH LOOK AT DIVER PAYOUTS

By Upstream staff

Independent probe launched into conditions in early years of sector
16 June 2000


FAIRER DEAL FOR DIVERS

By Upstream staff

THE NORWEGIAN Ministry of Social Affairs ruled this week that former divers in the country’s offshore sector can collect up to Nkr200,000 ($25,000) if new medical evaluations determine that their occupation caused health problems.
11 December 1999

 

If any one out there is serious and can help to find the families, or who just wants more information please contact me directly:

Tom Wingen
Brunla Gård. N-3294 Stavern, Norway
Tel: (+47) 959 444 85 | E-mail: mail@pioneerdivers.org