Day 1: Subsea Into the Future

Verftet was filled with energy from the early morning, as Day 1 of UTC 2025 launched head-on with an agenda brimming with ambition and innovation. We brought together the best minds in the field to further explore this year’s theme: Subsea into the future. Let’s dive into the highlights of today!

Keynotes and Big Ideas

The day began with a welcome from UTC Committee Chair Rune Vesterkjær and Marit Warncke, Mayor of Bergen. This was followed by keynotes from industry leaders – including Torbjørn Kjus (AkerBP) and Frida Berglund (DNV), who set the tone with forward-thinking perspectives on the energy demand and security.

Photo: Morten Sælen

One of the highlights was the morning panel, moderated by Cecilie Sælen of CCB Subsea, featuring voices from PwC, UIS, Vår Energi, and Solution Seeker. They tackled the theme of “Subsea into the future: knowledge and innovation,” engaging in a dynamic discussion on technology readiness, collaboration, and a future-proof subsea landscape.

After lunch, in the EXPO area, attendees explored three parallel technical sessions, each offering a deep dive into key topics shaping the subsea industry. The CCUS session included presentations from speakers such as Ragnar Stokke, while the Innovation & Subsea Processing track featured contributions from Ole Thomas McClimans. In the Digitalization & Autonomy session, Walter Caharija was among those sharing insights. Across all tracks, the focus was on cutting-edge developments: from open-source CCS pipeline concepts and digital twin cybersecurity to advanced subsea processing systems.

Reception and Conference Dinner

The day wrapped up with a reception, hosted by GCE Ocean Technology, TechnipFMC, and UTF. This provided the perfect environment to connect over drinks before heading into the evening excitement. The evening brought everyone together for the Conference Dinner. In a relaxed setting, brimming with guests, conversations and the spirit of shared purpose, the day concluded on a high note, underscoring UTC’s role as the meeting ground where innovation meets collaboration.