Environmental challenges and sustainable development were addressed by Statoil chief executive Olav Fjell in the Lehmkuhl lecture on 27 September.
This annual event took place at the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration (NHH) in Bergen to celebrate the anniversary of founder Kristofer Lehmkuhl.
Instituted more than 40 years ago, the lecture is regarded as one of Norway’s most important platforms for Norwegian business leaders.
A top executive is invited every year to speak on a topic of their own choice to an audience of 300-400 people.
The title of Mr Fjell’s lecture is “Sustainable oil and gas development – contradiction in terms or realistic ambition?”
Interest in sustainability is spreading in public debate, industry in general and the oil sector.
Statoil has accepted the challenge that this represents, and can already point to encouraging results from its commitment.
Technology development and innovatory production solutions have reduced emissions or discharges of environmentally-harmful substances to the air and water.
The group recently won the technology prize at the World Petroleum Congress in Rio de Janeiro for this work.
Statoil has also qualified for inclusion in the Dow Jones sustainability index, and published its first sustainability report this summer.
The group’s vision is to build a world-class oil and gas company. According to Mr Fjell, this also requires it to be among the leaders in protecting the environment.
“If these environmental responsibilities are not taken seriously, we will lose legitimacy, competitiveness and the licence to operate,” he said.