DNV and Angola’s ESSA have signed a partnership agreement to develop training services. Their objective is to develop the biggest offshore safety training centre in Africa within two years.

DNV opened its first office in Luanda, Angola March 2003 and started to employ its local staff. Today there are three DNV offices and more than 30 employees in this important West African oil and gas nation.

The agreement covers a full package of certification, personnel qualification and training. ESSA’s programme already includes 35 courses from the DNV training catalogue.

ESSA (Emprêsa de Serviços de Sondagens de Angola) is the name of a partnership formed by Sonangol, the national Angolan oil company, Global Marine Drilling Company and SBM (Single Buoy Moorings). It was established to train and qualify local workers and technical staff in safety related activities – mainly for the petroleum sector in Angola.

Until recently, petroleum personnel who worked offshore Angola had to travel outside the country to receive relevant training for the petroleum industry. Today, they can attend this centre, which has ultra-modern equipment such as a helicopter escape device and provides water survival training, etc. It is located in new training facilities at Cacuaco, just outside Luanda.
DNV is involved in training related to quality management systems, risk management and the use of advanced technology.