“I actually retired when I turned 67, but at Norconsult Norge AS they have an excellent scheme for those who wish to continue working beyond retirement age,” Mürer explains. “You get a temporary employment contract that can be renewed annually, with the same terms as other employees. The difference is that you switch from a fixed salary to hourly pay.”

This arrangement is common at Norconsult Norge AS and provides great value both ways. The company retains critical expertise, while the employee can continue working on professional tasks they are passionate about and earn new pension rights in addition to their regular pension.

A solution via Omega 365 Consulting

Today, Jan-Erik Mürer sits in Oslo and works on assignments for Aker BP. The route there involved several organizational changes. He is employed by Norconsult Norge AS and was previously contracted to Lundin. When Aker BP acquired Lundin in 2022, the consultancy agreements changed and were extended.

“Norconsult Norge AS was not a consultancy company with a framework agreement with Aker BP at that time. The solution was for me to be contracted out via Omega 365 Consulting,” he explains.

For Mürer, this arrangement works well in practice, even though it involves a bit more administration. Hours are logged simultaneously in Norconsult Norge AS, Omega 365, and Aker BP, and everything must match.

“So far, it has all gone perfectly,” he says with a smile.

Electrical engineer with international experience

Jan-Erik Mürer is an electrical engineer educated at the Trondheim College of Engineering. He is originally from Trøndelag but has lived most of his life in the Oslo area. His career started at what is now ABB, before moving on to Norconsult, Norway’s largest consulting engineering firm, with roots in the hydropower industry and strong expertise in tunnels and rock caverns.

Through Norconsult Norge AS, he also gained the opportunity to work internationally. Together with his family, he lived for four years in Saudi Arabia, working on the world’s largest oil storage and pipeline project in rock caverns.

“The kids were seven and nine and attended an American school. We lived in compounds and had a very good time,” he says.

Their stay became dramatic when the Gulf War broke out shortly after their arrival. The family was evacuated but later chose to return and complete the contract. He still experienced threats up close when the office next door to theirs in Riyadh was bombed by Saddam Hussein.

“It puts things in perspective,” says Mürer.

He later followed up detailed design work from Italy, commuting weekly to Milan to collaborate with an Italian consulting firm responsible for designing parts of the facility.

“It was a nice, but busy, time. That was when Fornebu Airport still existed, and the same taxi would pick us up every Monday morning and take us to the flight. Getting home from Milan on Fridays was a bit more complicated, but it mostly worked out!”

Edvard Grieg, a career highlight

Among many projects, Jan-Erik Mürer especially highlights the Edvard Grieg field as a career peak. He joined Lundin in 2011 to work on the company’s first production platform, and has followed the field from the early phase to production and further expansions and upgrades.

“I've been responsible for electrical engineering on the Lundin side throughout the project, following up on about 25–30 electrical engineers at EPC contractors and handling dozens of procurement packages,” he says.

The platform’s main modules were built in Norway, including at Stord, Egersund, and Verdal. First oil came in autumn 2015, and since then the field has been continuously developed.

Today, Mürer works on both Edvard Grieg and Ivar Aasen, after Aker BP took over as operator. The reason he is still involved is simple:

“They couldn't find anyone to replace me,” he says matter-of-factly with a smile.

Pioneer in electrification from shore

Jan-Erik Mürer has also been central to the electrification from shore of the Utsira High—a groundbreaking effort where several fields were connected to power from land. He worked on power from shore for Edvard Grieg, Ivar Aasen, Johan Sverdrup, and Gina Krogh.

“There was close collaboration between several oil companies to establish common guidelines. We agreed on voltage, frequency, submarine cable type, etc., ensuring standardized solutions. Those guidelines are still used today,” he says.

This work has greatly contributed to reduced CO2 emissions on the Norwegian Continental Shelf and is seen as an important step towards more sustainable offshore oil and gas production.

Still motivated at 77

Today, Jan-Erik Mürer is 77 years old but still highly motivated.

“The key is to be passionate about your profession and the tasks you work on. If I didn't have interesting projects and the trust I've been shown, I wouldn't have continued,” he says.

He also points out the shortage of experienced electrical engineers in the industry, and that Aker BP has strict rules on how long consultants can remain, making knowledge transfer even more critical. He has appreciated being contracted through Omega 365 Consulting.

“Omega 365 is, in practice, just a mailbox for me but a truly essential one,” he says with a smile.

Kari Marie Usken, his contact at Omega 365 Consulting, considers him a unique and inspiring example in Norwegian working life.

“For Omega 365 Consulting, Jan-Erik Mürer is a clear example of the value of experience, continuity, and professional engagement, and proves how the right expertise remains essential, regardless of age.”