The future of the oil industry is dependent on young people who like to think big, stressed President and CEO Eivind Reiten at the 26th oil conference in Sandefjord on Tuesday.
The oil policy seminar is held at Rica Park Hotel in Sandefjord, and runs for two days. Each year the seminar, organized by the Norwegian Petroleum Association, gathers the most prominent actors in the Norwegian oil and gas industry.
On Tuesday, the audience could listen to speeches by - among others - Minister of Petroleum and Energy Odd Roger Enoksen, Statoil President Helge Lund, and Eivind Reiten.
"In order to meet the challenges Norway as an energy nation faces in the years ahead, we need lots of capable people who are able to think big, and enjoy doing so," said Reiten.
In his speech, he was able to refer to a good year for Hydro. Since last year's seminar, the company has made a number of oil and gas discoveries that have contributed to an upward adjustment regarding the prospects for operations on the Norwegian continental shelf. In addition, the company has experienced a breakthrough in its international activities.
Reiten also emphasized that the development in the Barents Sea and the Northern areas must be seen in the context of the world's increasing demand for oil and gas, and that the development in this area must be carried out in cooperation with Norway's neighbours in the region, and with other industries.
The oil industry needs capable people, both in order to meet the challenges in the Northern areas, and to meet the energy challenges of the future in general," Reiten stressed, and he was able to refer to a new media campaign where Hydro advertises trainee positions.
The trainee programme is aimed at newly qualified people, who want to try out working in areas such as economics, research and various technical disciplines for an 18-month period.