The challenge of being first

摘要

Why did it take 10 years for Aker to get the SPAR concept accepted in the Gulf of Mexico? And why did it take years from when Golar-Nor introduced the first floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel in the North Sea till the FPSO concept got generally accepted? Why is it that when the automakers introduce a new automobile, the customers line up to be first to get the new model? But when the offshore industry introduces a new concept, the customers line up to buy number two. Few oil companies want to take the risk, however small, to be first to try new technology. Proven, proven, proven. That's the magic word.