The search is on for a new winner of the IOR award

Anders Soltvedt og Arvid Østhus are two of many in the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) who are passionate about improved recovery. IOR diplomas from earlier years adorn the walls of the NPD’s building.

Anders Soltvedt og Arvid Østhus are two of many in the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) who are passionate about improved recovery. IOR diplomas from earlier years adorn the walls of the NPD’s building.

1/31/2022 "A major recognition and very motivating," was the immediate response of researcher Geir Evensen of the Norce research institute when asked how it felt to win the award for improved recovery (IOR) in 2020.

The next time the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate will be handing out the IOR award is at ONS 2022, and now we are looking for candidates who deserve to win.

The deadline to submit nominations is 1 March 2022.

Positive ripple effects

"Winning the award has led to a number of positive ripple effects for Norce and for me as a researcher – we're very proud and delighted. The work we've been doing for many years has now been recognised, and the results and methods are very visible," says Evensen.

He adds:

"The work has been elevated to an entirely different level, and we've received attention far beyond our reach through publications and conferences."

Easier access to the industry

Evensen has provided a significant contribution toward developing a method where one uses multiple reservoir models in parallel to describe the uncertainty in a reservoir and update the reservoir description with dynamic data.

This technology is used extensively among the oil and gas companies on the Norwegian shelf. Read more: Researcher Geir Evensen wins award for improved recovery

"Since I won the award, it's become easier to access the industry and market new projects. It seems like everyone in the industry has heard of the method now," the researcher says.

In high demand

Evensen says that his LinkedIn profile was "on fire" with congratulations and comments when he received the IOR award. He also thinks that the award has led to multiple invitations to give presentations.

Asked why the technical communities should nominate candidates for the award, Evensen, answers as follows: "It's important to commend and promote those who've gone the extra mile for improved recovery, whether this is an operator, a group of licensees or an individual.

Creating value

When Evensen received the award two years ago, Director General Ingrid Sølvberg said that his method provides a better basis for making decisions, and thus increased value creation.

In other words, more profitable production from fields leads to increased revenues for the treasury.

More about the IOR award

 

Evensen-Soelvberg-IOR-pris-2020-1920x1080.jpg

Director general Ingrid Sølvberg hands the IOR award over to researcher Geir Evensen, winner in 2020.

Contact

Ola Anders Skauby

Director Communication, public affairs and emergency response

Tel: +47 905 98 519

Updated: 3/7/2022

Latest news

Appraisal well in the North Sea increases projection (16/1-EA-4 H)
9/25/2026 Aker BP and its partners Equinor and DNO have drilled an appraisal well on the "Verdandi" and "Lillefix" discoveries in the North Sea. This well increases the projected discovery size.
Production figures August 2026
9/22/2026 Preliminary production figures for August 2026 show an average daily production of 2 073 000 barrels of oil, NGL and condensate.
Aker BP has made a gas discovery in the North Sea (36/4-2 and 36/4-2 A)
9/16/2026 Preliminary calculations show that the size is between 0.15 and 2.4 million standard cubic metres of recoverable oil equivalent (Sm3 of o.e.), which corresponds to 1-15 million barrels.
Drilling permit for wellbore 25/9-5 S
9/15/2026 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted Equinor Energy AS drilling permit for wellbore 25/9-5 S in production licence 1042.
Growing exploration interest
9/11/2026 The authorities have received applications from 21 companies in the Awards in Predefined Areas (APA) 2025. The deadline for applications was 1 September.
New NCS map 2026
9/8/2026 You can now download or order a printed version of the Directorate's most recent map of the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS).
Resource report 2026 in English
9/8/2026 The Resource report is now also available in English.
New director at the Norwegian Offshore Directorate
9/7/2026 Siv Fagerland Christensen has taken up her position as Director of governance, finance and shared services.
Register for our seminar on sub-basalt exploration
8/31/2026 Welcome to a seminar on sub-basalt exploration on 15 October 2026 at our offices. The seminar speakers will represent operators, suppliers, academia and the authorities.
Okea receives award for improved recovery on its oil fields
8/25/2026 This year's winner of the Norwegian Offshore Directorate's “Improved Recovery Award” has worked systematically to revitalise the Draugen and Brage fields.