Aberdeen and Stavanger are two cities sitting on either side of the North Sea with long histories evidenced by their many fine old buildings constructed respectively of granite and wood.
The links between the two cities go back many centuries largely through trading and fishing but since the advent of the oil and gas industry in both areas in the late sixties our populations have become even closer.
In 1990 the two cities cemented that relationship by formally twinning. In 1995 the two cities joined together with another four energy capitals to be the founder members of the World Energy Cities Partnership an organisation which has grown to 22 energy capitals from around the world.
The inaugural meeting in Stavanger was to be my first visit to this wonderful small city and its beautiful harbour at Skagen.
Over the years the two cities have grown to be very dependent on the oil and gas industry.
The two are often compared and contrasted and I have been known to observe with some envy the amount that has been able to be invested in Stavanger’s infrastructure including the harbour, the airport and its road infrastructure, in particular the tunnels which link key parts of the city with each other and the surrounding county of Rogaland.
Aberdeen and Stavanger both compete and collaborate at times but the mutual dependence is there for all to see.
Many of our populations have had spells living in, working in or visiting each other’s cities.
Most recently, Statoil’s investment in their new premises in Kingswells and Aker Solution’s new offices at the airport have been very welcome as part of a much larger number of investments by Norwegian firms in Aberdeen.
There is no doubt, however that both cities have to react positively to the current challenges facing our oil and gas industry and in particular its high cost base.
Perhaps the emphasis today needs to be on collaboration and I look forward to hearing the excellent panel of speakers on the subject at the Aberdeen Stavanger event later.
Gordon McIntosh, Director at Aberdeen City Council and chair of Aberdeen-Stavanger Gateway 2015
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