Recycling petroleum related knowledge and resources: A case study of channels for knowledge transition and diversification in South West Norway

Abstract

Gradual diversification of the Norwegian petroleum economy is an important concern for both the Norwegian government and the petroleum industry itself. This paper analyzes the on-going industrial diversification as two separate but interdependent phases depending on the ownership of knowledge and resources: Knowledge transition of publicly available petroleum related knowledge and diversification of privately held petroleum related knowledge and resources. The purpose of the paper is to provide a conceptual model of specific channels for knowledge transition and diversification of petroleum related knowledge and resources. To gain insights in potential channels we use data from a seminar series on opportunities in hydrogen and offshore wind organized by the industry cluster Norwegian Energy Solutions located in petroleum-dependent South West Norway. We use the findings on specific channels to provide policy lessons regarding economic diversification.