He knows that getting through challenges takes alertness, thoughtful planning, and a committed crew. Aalvik is proud to be part of what he calls the industrial adventure in Ølensvåg. The Omega Group has grown steadily and impressively. What began as a small, local company has become a global enterprise with 2,000 employees. For the past 25 years, Aalvik has played a central role, first as working chairman and later as CEO. 

“It’s been quite a journey. Omega is home to some of the brightest minds and deepest expertise across many fields. If I can help create the right environment for people to thrive, I’m on the right track,” he says with a smile. 

When Aalvik joined the board in the late 1990s, Omega had about 70 employees and a turnover of NOK 50 million. Since then, the company has expanded into three core areas: subsea, consulting, and software. Last year, it reached a record NOK 4 billion in revenue. 

Aalvik recently turned 60 and celebrated the day with his twin brother and their extended family at their parents’ home in Husnes. 

"Most people probably wouldn’t guess your age?"
“Well, I’m not exactly young anymore,” he says. “But I try to stay active. I run and work out regularly. It’s important to keep the energy and drive needed to keep things moving forward.” 

Back to where it began 

These days, Aalvik works from Omega 365’s office at Forus in Stavanger, Norway. His workspace is simple, just a desk, a chair, and a computer. He’s not someone who demands luxury or a corner office. What he really values are days like today, when he can visit colleagues and hear how things are really going. Today, he’s in Ølensvåg, the village that both he and the company still consider home. 

“This is where it all began. The founders of Omega built themselves a boat, built a house, and were resourceful with great ideas already in their teenage years—along with plenty of fun, boat trips, music, and social gatherings. My grandparents lived here, so I often stopped by. When I was asked many years later if I wanted to contribute to the company, it was an easy choice to say yes,” he says.

Aalvik was born in Stavanger, where his father worked in a canning lab. When the industry declined in 1968, the family moved to Høyanger and the local aluminum plant. 

“They didn’t know they were leaving Stavanger just before the oil boom began. But Høyanger was a great place to grow up. We ended up staying nearly 20 years.” 

Petter lived there from age three to sixteen, something still reflected in his accent. 

“I was a Stavanger kid when we moved, and when my twin brother and I tried talking to people, we went home and told our parents it sounded like they were speaking English. We didn’t understand a word. My dialect is probably the result of moving around and adapting as I went.” 

At 16, he moved in with his grandparents in Ølensvåg, where he had spent many summers. His love for the sea and boating really took root there. His grandfather, Petter Berge, was seriously ill, and Aalvik wanted to help. 

“That was a kind thing to do at 16?”
“Oh, it went both ways. I got just as much out of it,” he says, casually. When Aalvik joined the board in the late 1990s, Omega had about 70 employees and a turnover of NOK 50 million.

Tribute from the Chairman 

Today, colleagues are gathered in the Ølensvåg canteen. There is live music, cake on the table, and Chairman Sigmund Lunde, visibly moved, stands to thank Petter for 25 years with Omega 365 and to wish him a happy 60th birthday. His speech makes it clear how strong the bond is between these childhood friends. 

“Petter has been, and still is, a fantastic CEO. Personally, few people have had as much impact on my life as Petter. Outside of my family, he has brought me the most joy as an adult. For 25 years, he has taken responsibility, created structure, secured contracts, developed solutions, and made it possible for me to focus on the things I enjoy,” says Lunde. 

He highlights Petter’s focus on contracts, client presentations, and optimism about the future. 

“When he joined, Omega was in a phase where everyone did everything and no one really led. There was no structure. I was commuting to London and often bumped into Petter at Heathrow. The idea came to me. Maybe he could be the one to steer the Omega ship forward. We dared to ask. As Arne Gunnar Habbestad said at the time, the worst that could happen was that he would say no. Luckily, Petter said yes. Maybe it helped that he had fond childhood memories of Ølen.” 

“I remember we asked him to write his own job description. It was a bit funny that we gave him responsibility for company structure, when we only had one company. Now we have 30,” Lunde says, recalling the many conversations they’ve shared. 

“We don’t always agree, but that kind of dialogue brings quality. Petter is patient and great at motivating others.” 

Lifelong friends and business partners — Sigmund Lunde and Petter Aalvik have helped shape Omega 365’s journey together.

Period of strong growth 

As the music quiets, Aalvik shifts focus to the future. He has a clear idea of where the company should go next. 

“You have to plant before you can harvest. What we do today sets the foundation for the income we will earn next year and beyond.” 

He appreciates the culture at Omega 365 and feels humbled by the founders and colleagues who have built the company and still help drive it forward. 

“Omega is growing within software, consulting, and subsea. With over 100,000 monthly active users, Omega 365 and Pims are globally recognized brands in the software sector. Consulting is the largest business area, with 1,000 employees in the Norwegian market. By combining high-level expertise with investments in advanced technology, Omega Subsea has struck a chord in the market and delivered record growth. What all three business areas have in common is that they have established a leading position in their respective segments, measured by market share.”

He believes that satisfied clients are the best marketing. 

“If clients trust us and employees enjoy their work, we are in a good place. Happy clients return and buy more.” 

Always connected 

Much of Aalvik’s work involves board responsibilities and leadership meetings, along with unexpected matters that arise. As part of his role, he chairs around 20 subsidiaries, both in Norway and abroad. 

“My wife sometimes jokes that she envies the control I have over my schedule. That’s the reality when I’m the one who sets the board meetings and leads the processes. But still, no day goes exactly as planned. Something always comes up that needs immediate attention. I also enjoy being involved in projects, like tenders, business acquisitions, or other initiatives where I can contribute. That’s something I really like.” 

“Do you ever log off?”
“I love my job and I think about it most of the time. I believe many people at Omega are the same. Messages come in at all hours. That’s what happens when your work is engaging. Still, we have to look out for one another and avoid doing too much. Everyone needs ways to recharge, find inspiration, and maintain good health.” 

From his Forus office, Aalvik helps steer Omega 365 through changing tides.

A dream of designing ships 

Aalvik’s years in Ølensvåg left a lasting impression, even shaping his dreams. After high school, he attended the Naval Academy and trained as a navigation officer. He later studied Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering in Newcastle and Glasgow, driven by a desire to design ships, partly inspired by the shipbuilding activity at Berge Sag. 

After finishing his education, he joined Stolt Nielsen Seaway in Haugesund. At the time, the company operated one of the world’s most advanced fleets of offshore construction vessels for subsea projects. There, he applied much of what he had learned, planning marine operations and improving vessel capacity. 

Later, he pursued a master’s degree in finance and management in France, then joined Boston Consulting Group in Stockholm. He worked on strategy and business development for a range of companies and helped establish BCG’s office in Oslo. 

“That was a very exciting time. I liked the pace and the fact that so much was happening.” 

By the late 1990s, with two children, he and his wife were ready to settle down. They moved from Oslo to Stavanger, and Aalvik joined the executive team at Smedvig ASA, a listed company with global operations in drilling rigs, production ships, reservoir modeling, and well technology. 

“For large shipbuilding projects, we used Pims and hired consultants from Omega. I remember thinking how great it was to see my old friends from Ølensvåg doing so well.” 

Stepping into a new role

Aalvik was invited to join the Omega 365 board and gladly accepted. The company had seen strong growth through the 1990s, but when oil prices crashed in 1997 and the dot-com bubble burst in 2000, projects became scarce. The company needed a new strategy. 

“The Gulf of Mexico had a strong market while the North Sea was quiet. So we decided to expand into the US. We had a client who wanted us there and employees who were willing to relocate. We signed the contract, established an office in Houston, and I went from chairman to working chairman. A few years later, when Sigmund wanted to join a consultancy project on Snøhvit, we switched roles. He became chairman, and I became CEO.” 

Since the beginning, Omega has grown by combining technology and deep expertise with the needs of construction projects. That remains true today. Whether it is subsea robotics, software that gives people the information they need, or consultants who ensure the right skills are available when and where they’re needed. 

“We are passionate about delivering better projects. We believe Omega helps ensure that projects are completed on time, to the right quality, and at the lowest cost. In recent years, we’ve also expanded into operations and maintenance, which is a natural extension of project work. It’s great to work with capable people you can rely on. ‘Big enough to deliver, small enough to care’ is a great slogan Sigmund came up with,” says Aalvik. 

“What is the biggest challenge ahead?”
“We want to continue developing our three business areas so they become leaders in their respective fields. With strong focus in each, we also open up more possibilities for synergy across the company. With profitable revenue growth of around 20 percent a year, we are on the right path. The real challenge is maintaining that over time, through changing market conditions.” 

Steering through uncertainty

Aalvik is committed to building a sustainable and diverse organization and pays close attention to global developments. 

“We see the unrest and human suffering play out daily in the media. I hope global leaders find a better path forward. Fortunately, all Omega offices are located in peaceful, democratic countries. It is important to me that our employees are safe and well. I also hope we continue to steer clear of areas affected by armed conflict. When the world feels uncertain, it helps to focus on the work we can do and the impact we can have. Through our support to the Norwegian Refugee Council, Omega contributes to helping those most in need,” says Aalvik. 

About Spotlight 

Spotlight highlights and celebrates Omega 365's team members and their efforts. We believe there are contributions, personalities, and developments throughout Omega 365 that deserve recognition and acknowledgment. You may have a colleague who has made a breakthrough, improved workplace moral, or secured a significant contract – we want to know about them and we want to celebrate them! Nominate a Spotlight candidate by sending your tips to lauren@omega365.com.