Statoil's Henrik Carlsen was awarded the prestigious title Oilman of the year for 2006 by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) in Stavanger.
SPE is a worldwide non-governmental organisation for engineers in the petroleum industry.
The prize is given to persons having distinguished themselves in the Norwegian petroleum industry in Norway or internationally. According to the jury Mr Carlsen has been highly dedicated to the industry and in addition he has shown great social commitment during his long career.
Mr Carlsen heads Statoil's commitment in the Barents Sea and the far north and he was formerly executive vice president for the Exploration & Production Norway (UPN) business area.
"I am very pleased to receive this prize, and I regard it as a recognition of the efforts made by Statoil on the Norwegian continental shelf and internationally," says Mr Carlsen.
The prize was awarded for the first time in 1987. Former chief executive Arve Johnsen won the title in 1988.