Meet Magne Tresvik – a pioneer at TCM

In this interview, Magne Tresvik shares memories from the early days of TCM, the biggest challenges, and what keeps him motivated in a rapidly evolving technological field.

Magne Tresvik is a veteran at TCM. “Every test campaign has its own moments of exploration,” he says in this interview.

“How did you become part of the TCM team?”

“I have mostly worked at Mongstad ever since I graduated from NTNU in 1996. I started at the refinery and got to be part of many exciting projects. But when TCM was being planned, several of us were brought in as external engineers to help with the design and realization of the new technology center. When it was completed in 2012, I was offered a job in the company. After a while, I took a short break and worked for Siemens in Bergen for a year before returning to the Modifications Department at TCM. Last year, I was permanently hired, just like most of the other external employees.”

“What do you remember most from the TCM project phase?”

“There were a lot of people working on the facility for Alstom and Aker Solutions, and for those of us involved in electrical installations and instrumentation, the work wasn’t too different from other large technical projects at the refinery.

The most unique thing was probably the pouring of concrete for the absorber at the amine plant. And of course, I remember the grand opening ceremony in May 2012. I was on duty at one of the gates, making sure no unauthorized people got in.”

“What was your knowledge of carbon capture before you started?”

“To be honest, I knew nothing. But the idea of reducing carbon emissions by capturing CO₂ fascinated me. At the same time, we have to admit that making it work the right way has been challenging—like any other technological development.

Still, the pioneering work at TCM has delivered results. The carbon capture plant at Heidelberg Materials in Brevik, which is starting operations this year, is just one important example. But there’s still room for improvement, especially in terms of reducing energy costs in the capture process. And there are many exciting new technologies emerging.”

“What’s the most exciting part of your job at TCM?”

“Every test campaign comes with its own moments of excitement. New people from around the world come to Mongstad with different technologies they’re eager to test in real conditions.

In recent years, the testing at Site for Emerging Technologies (SET) has been particularly interesting to be part of.”

“What does a typical workday look like for you?”

“My main job is to ensure good planning, both before and during a test campaign. This includes working with CAD drawings and helping design the equipment needed for the tests.

Right now, we’re wrapping up the Svante campaign at SET. My work with them started with a visit to Canada in April last year, together with Matthew Campbell and Istvan Szabo. That visit helped me understand their approach and what we needed to provide to make their testing at TCM as successful as possible.”

“Is there a project at TCM that you are particularly proud of?”

“The establishment of SET in 2021 was a challenge—especially with all the considerations we had to take during the COVID-19 pandemic. But after some back and forth, the modules from two American companies, TDA Research and Membrane Technology and Research (MTR), arrived and were installed.

We were proud that all the work to facilitate testing of membranes or absorbent materials for CO₂ capture was successful. That was an important milestone for TCM.”

“Who do you work most closely with, and how is the collaboration?”

“In the MOD group, there are five of us responsible for different tasks, and we help each other daily. We work closely with those in Instrumentation and Maintenance, and we also have a lot of interaction with the Technical Department.

Overall, we have a well-functioning professional collaboration and work environment, and we can bring in external resources when needed.”

What gives you energy and joy at work?

“Sara’s lunch is a daily highlight that gives a lot of energy! 😊

In general, it’s inspiring to see both young and experienced colleagues succeed with technically complex projects. The camaraderie among employees in the company is great and brings a lot of joy.”

“If you could give a flower to a colleague, who would it be – and why?”

“The flower goes to Magnus Aronsson, who works in Instrumentation and Maintenance. He is skilled, solution-oriented, and only asks the necessary questions.”

“What do your family and friends say about your job?”

“When people ask what we do at TCM, I usually say that we work in research. It takes time, it’s difficult, and our facilities are expensive and complex.

We’re still a long way from a perfect CO₂ capture solution, but we make small steps forward every day. I think the people around me appreciate that I’m realistic, but at the same time believe that what we do is important for achieving global climate goals.”

“What do you see as the biggest challenge in your work?”

“Planning is everything. The time window for each test campaign is short, so it can become critical if something important is overlooked before starting.

We’re not a big team at TCM, but we have good and efficient routines that leave nothing to chance.”

“Do you have any specific plans for the future?”

“I hope to continue being useful at TCM for many years before retiring.

Other than that, I don’t have big plans—except taking good care of my body and health. Staying in shape, both physically and mentally, is essential for a good life in old age.”