A collaboration deal covering geological and sub-surface disciplines has been concluded by Statoil with the University of Tromsø in northern Norway today, 5 February.
Running for three years with opportunities for extensions, this alliance is part of the group's commitment to provide NOK 35 million per year for research and development projects.
Agreements made with with six other Norwegian university-level institutions since last autumn are also included in this figure.
These are the Norwegian School of Management, the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration, Stavanger University College, the University of Bergen, the University of Oslo and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
A substantial part of the funding for the University of Tromsø will be used to modernise teaching materials and methods, reports Knut Chr Grindstad.
He is Statoilâs manager for exploration operations in the Halten/Nordland area of the Norwegian Sea, and a member of the management committee for the alliance in Tromsø.
âThe aim of this cooperation is for both we and the academic bodies involved to enhance our expertise in areas important for both sides,â Mr Grindstad explains.
Statoil recruits extensively from Norwegian universities, so helping to ensure that these institutions attract and educate able people is in its own interests, he adds.
The universities select three priority areas in which they want to pursue projects to their own and Statoilâs benefit. Representatives from the group sit on the management committees for these projects.