StatoilHydro Awards Research Prize to Oil Hunter

StatoilHydro's research prize for 2009 has been awarded to Professor Jan Inge Faleide (54) at the University of Oslo for his research on the geological development of the Norwegian Sea, the Barents Sea and the Arctic Ocean.

In recent years Faleide has had the primary responsibility for large-scale research projects to investigate the continental margins. His focus is now on the Barents Sea as a petroleum province.

Extensive knowledge base

"Faleide's work has made an extensive knowledge base of North Atlantic and Arctic geology available to StatoilHydro and exploration circles," said Lasse Amundsen, StatoilHydro’s chief researcher within geophysics.

The winner is a prodigiously productive professor who has managed to balance high-quality academic research of international standard with close collaboration with the petroleum industry. In addition he is supervisor for 49 cand. Scient./MSc and 19 dr. scient./PhD students.

"I am grateful and honored to be awarded StatoilHydro's research prize, and take it as a sign that we are conducting sound, relevant geological and geophysical petroleum research," said Faleide.

A geological jig-saw puzzle

By integrating and interpreting several types of geophysical data, Faleide and his team of researchers are reconstructing the geological history of the continental shelf. As the pieces of an enormous geological jig-saw puzzle fall into place, this information can be used in the search for oil or gas.

"For many years StatoilHydro has helped provide stable long-range conditions for exploration research. Further, academics in Norway enjoy unique access to relevant geological and geophysical data. These factors have made it possible for us to build up expertise and be at the forefront of research developments," said Faleide.

Prestigious technology award

The NOK 200,000 prize and a work of art by Hakon Bleken were presented at the Technoport Awards in Trondheim on October 12 by Morten Loktu, StatoilHydro's senior vice president for research.

StatoilHydro's research prize, established in 1991, is given in recognition of high quality research of international standard. It is awarded annually to an external researcher or institution in Norway that has conducted research of substantial significance to the company.

 


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