New Director of Offshore development and technology

Hege Susanne Blåsternes, new director for Area Development and Technology in the Norwegian Offshore Directorate. (Photo: Linn Smerud/The Norwegian Offshore Directorate)

Hege Susanne Blåsternes, new director for Area Development and Technology in the Norwegian Offshore Directorate. (Photo: Linn Smerud/The Norwegian Offshore Directorate)

6/5/2025 Producing the resources on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) so they generate the greatest possible values for society is an important driving force for the Norwegian Offshore Directorate's new director.

This week, Hege Susanne Blåsternes took up her position as Director of Offshore development and technology (OUT) in the Norwegian Offshore Directorate.

"I believe in the Norwegian Offshore Directorate's principal objective to contribute to the greatest possible values for society from oil and gas activities on the NCS. In this position, I'll have the opportunity to contribute to good, long-term decisions that can lead to us utilising the resources we have left in the best possible way," she says.

Blåsternes has more than 20 years of experience from the oil and gas industry and extensive management experience. Among other things, she holds the equivalent of a master's degree in petroleum physics and has substantial expertise in the subsea disciplines in the oil and gas industry.

"Despite facing a decline in production in the years to come, I'm confident that substantial values still remain on the NCS. They need to be developed in the best possible way. This also means that we all need to do our part in finding new solutions and that we demonstrate the willingness to change. As authorities, we need to work with the players on the shelf to achieve this together. I truly believe that we'll succeed in this effort."

In her new position, she will be responsible for offshore development , which includes promoting cooperation in the industry, in addition to developing and adopting new technology.

"This doesn't mean simply cherry-picking solutions that most benefit the individual licensees or the companies, but rather ensuring that the decisions are made in a broader context. We have a lot to gain from improved recovery, working smarter and more cost-effectively by developing and adopting new technology."

Contact
postboks@sodir.no

Tel: +47 51 87 60 00

Updated: 6/5/2025

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.