Norwegian Geological Survey

What Norwegian Geological Survey does

The Norwegian Geological Survey (Norges geologiske undersøkelse, NGU), founded in 1858 and headquartered in Trondheim, Norway, is the Norwegian state's official professional body for geological resources and geological mapping, operating under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries (Nærings- og fiskeridepartementet). NGU collects, processes, and disseminates geological data covering Norway's land and seabed territories, serving public administration, businesses, schools and students, and the general public. Its core offerings include national geological maps, the GRANADA national groundwater database, the NADAG national database for ground investigations, the InSAR Norway satellite-based monitoring system for subsidence and unstable rock formations, marine base maps, drill core archives (NBPS), laboratory services, and the research vessel 'Geologen' for marine surveys. The organization also produces data on geological hazards including quick clay, radon, landslides, and earthquakes, and supports Norway's mineral resources sector.

Underlying technology includes digital map services, APIs, file geodatabases, cloud-hosted databases (Trimble GeoSuite), authentication via ID-porten, and an emerging machine learning capability for automated landscape structure mapping. NGU is funded entirely through Norwegian state appropriations and operates on a non-commercial model: all data, services, and products are provided free of charge under the Norwegian Licence for Open Government Data (NLOD). The organization reaches users through self-service digital channels (website, Geonorge national portal), direct engagement (school and business visits), and public events (Arendalsuka, Geofaredagen, Fjellsprengningskonferansen), with no traditional go-to-market sales function.

Name

Norwegian Geological Survey

Legal name

Norges geologiske undersøkelse

Website

https://ngu.no

Company type

Private

Founded year

1858

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

The Norwegian Geological Survey (NGU) is Norway's official state agency for geological mapping and resources, founded in 1858, that collects and freely disseminates national geological data — including groundwater, ground investigations, InSAR monitoring, and marine surveys — to public administration, businesses, and the general public under open-data licensing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Trondheim

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: As a government agency under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries (Nærings- og fiskeridepartementet), NGU operates on government appropriations. All data and services are provided free of charge to users under the NLOD license.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Norwegian Geological Survey is Norway's national geological survey and the state's official professional body for geological resources and geological mapping. It collects, processes and disseminates geological data through national maps and databases (including geological maps, the GRANADA groundwater database, the NADAG ground investigations database, and InSAR Norway subsidence/rock-stability monitoring), and operates research infrastructure such as the vessel 'Geologen', drill core archives and geological laboratories. All data, services and products are provided free of charge to users under the Norwegian Licence for Open Government Data (NLOD).

Product overview

Norwegian Geological Survey (NGU) operates as Norway's national geological survey and authoritative body for geological resources and geological mapping. The organization offers a portfolio of interconnected products and services centered around geological data, mapping, and analysis. Core offerings include geological maps (Geologiske kart), the national groundwater database GRANADA, the national database for ground investigations NADAG, and InSAR Norway for monitoring subsidence and unstable rock formations. NGU also provides access to research facilities including the research vessel 'Geologen' for marine surveys, drill core archives, and laboratory services for sample analysis. All data, services, and products are provided free of charge under the Norwegian Licence for Open Government Data (NLOD).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Geologiske kart (Geological Maps) Complete overview of NGU's geological maps providing comprehensive geological data for Norway, including marine base maps, county facts, and survey planning information for public, business and governmental users.
• NADAG - Nasjonal database for grunnundersøkelser (National Database for Ground Investigations) National searchable database for searching and registering subsurface ground investigation data, delivered as a self-serve web and cloud service to municipalities, infrastructure planners and geotechnical professionals.
• GRANADA - Nasjonal grunnvannsdatabase (National Groundwater Database) Map-based database of wells and springs mapping groundwater resources across Norway for water resource managers, well drillers, municipalities and researchers.
• InSAR Norge Satellite-radar based map service monitoring subsidence and unstable rock formations across Norway, for use by public administration, infrastructure owners and researchers concerned with ground stability.
• Kart og data for offentlig forvaltning (Maps and Data for Public Administration) Curated geological maps and data for Norwegian public administration, integrated as part of the public map foundation (Det offentlige kartgrunnlaget, DOK).
• Forskningsfartøyet «Geologen» (Research Vessel Geologen) Research vessel operated by NGU to conduct marine geological surveys and seabed mapping in Norwegian coastal and offshore waters.
• Borkjernelager / Nasjonalt borkjerne- og prøvesenter (NBPS) - Drill Core and Sample Centre National drill core and sample centre that stores geological samples and cores, providing physical archive and access services to researchers, mineral exploration companies and academic institutions.
• NGU Laboratorier (Geological Laboratories) NGU laboratory facilities providing geological sample analysis including rock cutting, sample preparation and a range of analytical instruments for researchers and partner institutions.

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GeonorgecoreTechnology or IntegrationNational coordination platform for map data and location-based information in Norway. NGU documents and provides datasets through this platform, enhancing discoverability and accessibility of geological data across Norway.
• Jefferson WellsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRecruitment services provider for NGU's hiring processes. NGU uses Webcruiter platform for job applications, with Jefferson Wells delivering recruitment services under data processing agreement.
• NTB KommunikasjonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNGU publishes press releases and media materials through NTB's press room platform, ensuring efficient distribution to media outlets.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Geological Survey of Canada (NRCan/GSC): Canada's national geological survey providing geological mapping, mineral resource assessments, and geohazard monitoring. Direct peer to NGU with comparable national scope and open data mandate.
• Geological Survey of Finland (GTK): Finnish geological survey providing national geological mapping, mineral resource data, and applied research. Direct Nordic peer to NGU with overlapping capabilities in critical minerals assessment.
• U.S. Geological Survey (USGS): U.S. national geological survey, the largest in the world, providing geological mapping, hazard monitoring, and mineral resource assessments. Most direct international peer to NGU in mandate and scope.
• Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS): Denmark and Greenland's national geological survey, providing geological mapping, mineral resource assessments, and data services. Direct peer to NGU with comparable Nordic governmental structure.
• BRGM (Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières): France's national geological survey, providing geological mapping, mineral resource data, and environmental monitoring. Direct peer to NGU as a state geological survey with both public mandate and commercial activities.
• Geoscience Australia: Australia's national geoscience agency providing geological mapping, mineral resource data, and geohazard monitoring. Direct international peer to NGU with similar mandate and data-driven approach.
• Geological Survey of Sweden (SGU): Sweden's national geological survey providing geological mapping, mineral resource data, and groundwater information. Closest geographic peer to NGU with comparable Nordic mandate and datasets.
• British Geological Survey (BGS): UK's national geological survey, providing geological mapping, data services, and research under government auspices. Direct peer to NGU with comparable mandate, open data philosophy, and portfolio of national databases.
• Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR): Germany's central geological survey providing geological mapping, mineral resource assessments, and groundwater data. Direct European peer to NGU with comparable federal structure and mandate.

Broad incumbents

• European Geological Data Infrastructure (EGDI): Pan-European platform aggregating geological data from national surveys including NGU. Functions as a broader incumbent framework that both relies on and competes with NGU's national data services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/nguweb
• Facebookfacebook.com/Norges.geologiske.undersokelse
• LinkedInno.linkedin.com/company/geological-survey-of-norway
• Instagraminstagram.com/norgesgeologiskeundersokelse
• Xx.com/NGUgeology

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Norwegian Geological Survey