Hydro's research fellowship programme at Norway's University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim is being extended by three years, during which time Hydro will provide the university with sponsorship totalling NOK 9 million for petroleum research.
The fellowship programme, established five years ago, comprises research activities in geophysics, plus reservoir, production and marine technologies. The work of five PhD students has so far been financed by the programme.
The programme is especially targeted towards doctoral students. Support is also given to student activities and researchers participating in seminars and courses.
"For Hydro it is important to stimulate interest in science subjects and increase the number of students taking up petroleum-related studies. In addition to providing financial support, we are keen to get in touch with students early on. We take part in student excursions and advise several diploma and PhD students. We also offer them summer jobs: this year we are expecting to take in around 30 summer students at the Research Centre in Bergen," says research vice president Leif Lømo.
"We are keen on making this as unbureaucratic as possible, with as much direct contact as possible between us and the NTNU students and employees," says Lømo.
Useful cooperation
The decision to extend the agreement by three more years was signed on Thursday at the annual follow-up meeting between the university and Hydro's research milieu.
"We are very happy to have Hydro as partner and that the sponsorship funds go to PhD students and travel. In many ways, this cooperation sets the tone for our cooperation with the rest of the industry," says Professor Jon Kleppe, who heads the Department for Petroleum Technology and Applied Geophysics.
Professor Carl Martin Larsen, head of the Marine Technology Department, says that the financial support of industry is important for his department.
"Sponsorship of this kind means that we can make our mark internationally at a time when resources are scarce. Moreover, Hydro is our best qualified customer; the company knows how to ask questions that contribute to exciting research activities," says Larsen.
Both NTNU and Hydro emphasize that the funds are not for use on specific Hydro tasks. The intention is to increase competencies in areas that are important for the petroleum industry.
The increased probability of discoveries when exploring for oil and gas, greater recovery, tail production and the development of minor oil and gas fields are some of the challenges to be met in the coming three-year period.
See also:
| The NTNU website | |
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| Department of Petroleum Engineering and Applied Geophysics | |
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| Department of Marine Technology |