The last half year Saga Subsea has expanded and welcomed a lot of new, dedicated colleagues to our team. We’re on a roll, and now we’d like to introduce you to Stefanie, Pål and Eirik!

Already from a very young age Stefanie Apeland knew she wanted to work in an office. Playing secretary and lining up papers and pens with her sister, she was destined for a career where she has juggled everything from office management and business administration to quality control and HR work. She has worked in a lot of different industries – and now was the time to go subsea!

– I’m a very loyal employee, and if I’m happy I don’t change workplaces very often. But when this opportunity presented itself at Saga Subsea, I was immediately interested. I’ve heard a lot of great things about the company through friends and family. Subsea is a new industry for me, and I find it incredibly interesting to become a part of.

Stefanie is our new administrative coordinator. She will work closely with the leader group and be a support in the administrative processes of the company. With her great organizing skills and positive attitude, she will contribute to the organisation running smoothly and more efficiently.

– I’m known for getting things done and thrive in roles where I can contribute to making the workdays of those around me easier, more efficient and more fun!

Born and raised in Switzerland, Stefanie moved to Norway in her twenties. The reason – was of course love. She spends her spare time with the family, and their dog.

– A lot of the time is spent following up on the kids’ activities. I’m most definitely the type of mom that’s on the sideline cheering on every football game. Football in general, and especially Arsenal, is a big part of our lives. I also spend a lot of my time going on walks with our dog. That’s something I wouldn’t be without – our walks are where I can relax and recharge.

From Well Operations to Subsea Special Solutions

Pål Kolstø is the next catch we want to introduce. After spending the last 30 years of his career working in Well Service he was on the lookout for new challenges. And with his bachelor’s degree in petroleum technology, comprehensive experience with offshore well operations and project management, he was the perfect fit as our new department manager of special solutions.

– The subsea segment felt like the natural next step, with strong synergies to my previous experiences. There’s also a lot of exciting activity happening here at Haugalandet within the subsea segment. Saga Subsea caught my attention as an exciting and innovative company in the subsea industry, and its dynamic nature combined with local ownership was a contributing factor for me accepting the job. Being able to contribute, help create growth and be a part of local success is something that truly motivates me, he says.

Pål will have a wide range of responsibilities here at Killingøy. Most importantly he will lead the development of our Special Solutions department, making sure our projects run smoothly and efficiently and meet the timelines and deadlines that are given. He will also have direct contact with both new and old clients.

– I would describe myself as a structured, dedicated and proactive person with a broad experience within leadership, strategic planning and customer follow-up. And those are among the key qualities I bring into my new role here at Saga Subsea.

When he’s not focused on work, Pål spends his time with his family. He’s also often found on the badminton court, where he truly switches into “off-mode”.

– Badminton has sort of become my “nothing box”. While playing badminton I only have one objective – to hit that ball and score that point. I also enjoy traveling and going to music festivals. During summertime I typically squeeze in three festivals.

An Insight That Resulted in a Special Approach to Engineering

And last, but not least, we want to present Eirik Spilde. Eirik has always been the type of guy who notices technical solutions around him. He’s fascinated by how theory and calculations become physical structures that can withstand high loads. Therefore it comes as no surprise that he became a structural engineer. 

–  I have a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, and a master of science degree in marine engineering with specialization in hydrodynamics. Every summer from the age of 18 until I got my first job as an engineer when I was 28, I had a summer job as a process operator. This has given me a practical insight into industrial operations and technical processes and has shaped the way I approach engineering today. I gained a better understanding of how the best solutions aren’t just the ones that work theoretically, but the ones that are easy to produce, assemble and use. 

Eirik’s daily tasks as a structural engineer at Saga consist of performing structural analysis and dimensioning of structures used in subsea operations. He will also contribute to the development and optimization of mechanical solutions such as our ROV-tools.

– What differentiates Saga Subsea from others is that you get the opportunity to follow the projects from early concept to fully tested solutions. A good example is the ROCS system that Saga Subsea has developed from scratch.

Raised in Odda – surrounded by high mountains and breathtaking nature, Eirik grew fond of going on hikes. That’s his way of unwinding after a busy day.

– I also work out by doing strength training, or I unwind by playing computer games – preferably single-player games with a good story line. During the summer months, I also spend time on my other hobby, which is radio-controlled model airplanes.

Welcome on board Stefanie, Pål and Eirik!