The Grainger Center’s 2025 MBA and MS students took a trip to Stavanger over winter break. This trip to Norway gave students an opportunity to experience the heart of the energy industry in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea. Norway is one of the largest exporters of natural gas in the world. Oil and gas make up more than half of Norway’s total exported goods, making it a key commodity in the country’s economy. In addition, students were able to explore cultural landmarks in Stavanger and Oslo.
The journey kicked off in Stavanger in early January, where students embarked on a scenic fjord cruise and toured the Norwegian Petroleum Museum, gaining insight into the country’s energy industry while admiring its natural beauty. They also had a free day to explore the city at their own pace, visiting cultural landmarks such as The Swords in Rock and Sola Beach.
This trip was in collaboration with the University of Stavanger (UiS). Students attended numerous lectures by UiS professors and advisors on topics such as Norway’s economy, technology, and energy history. These lectures gave students a deeper understanding of the energy industry from the perspective of those working in Norway. The UW students also had the opportunity to network with UiS students.
“It opened my eyes to the diversity of cultures in the world, and the different ways of thinking that different countries’ cultures generate.”
Jundo Wang, MS ‘25
Another key part of the trip was the site visits. One of these was to Vår Energi in Stavanger, where students received an informative presentation on oil exploration and production. Vår Energi produces over 200,000 barrels of oil per day while also working toward Net Zero initiatives. Alina Berzigiyarova (MS ‘25) noted how the tour guides and speakers were candid about the geopolitical risks within the energy industry. She mentioned that while efforts are being made to make the industry cleaner, the industry remains crucial and is unlikely to disappear anytime soon. Claire Thaeler’s (MS ‘25) favorite part of the Vår Energi tour was boarding a floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel that was in the process of being refurbished. An FPSO is a floating system that extracts fluids (like crude oil and water) from a subsea reservoir through risers. It then separates the fluids into crude oil, natural gas, water, and impurities aboard the vessel’s production facilities. Other site visits included the Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority (Havtil), the Ullrigg Drilling Research Center, Schlumberger/SLB, Equinor, and a wind farm.
“Not only did (this trip) enable a deeper understanding of the intersection between the energy sector and supply chain management, but it also enriched my outlook regarding culture, economy, and sustainable development.”
Shuang Yun Huang, MS ‘25
UW students also spent a weekend in Oslo, where they had the chance to explore the nation’s capital. Popular sites here included the Munch Art Museum, the Royal Palace, and the Nobel Peace Center.
Overall, the trip was a great success, allowing students—whether they had prior knowledge of the energy industry or not—to broaden their understanding of global supply chain practices while also exploring a beautiful new country.
by Emma Reismann, BBA ’26
