Professor Martin Landrø (48) has been awarded StatoilHydro's 2007 researcher prize. (Photo: Carl-Erik Eriksson)
The prizewinner is a professor in applied geophysics at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim.
"Prof Landrø is one of the pioneers in the development and use of 4-D seismic for monitoring oil and gas production from our reservoirs," says Lasse Amundsen, chief researcher in geophysics at StatoilHydro. "For the past 10 years he has provided important theoretical and practical contributions towards enhancing this technology."
The 4-D seismic method compares data from three-dimensional surveys performed in the same field at different points of time.
The fourth dimension, time, gives information about how oil and water have flowed in the reservoir and where remaining oil can be found. By adding the fourth dimension to the interpretation of seismic data we improve the fields' recovery factor considerably.
Key player
Prof Landrø was a key player in the first trials of 4-D seismic on the Gullfaks field. The qualifying and further development of the technology has led to improved recovery and an increase in value of NOK 6 billion per year from Gullfaks alone.
We use 4-D seismic today on 70% of our oil fields to steer production from the reservoirs in the best possible way. StatoilHydro is a leader in this area.
The prizewinner's work is internationally acknowledged. He has supervised 50 students pursuing a master's degree in geophysics, many of whom are now employees of StatoilHydro.
The prize of NOK 200,000 and an artwork by Steinar Hansen were presented by Morten Loktu, senior vice president for research and development in StatoilHydro, during the Technoport awards in Trondheim on 17 October.
StatoilHydro’s researcher award is a recognition of research work at a high international level. It is awarded annually to an external researcher or institution in Norway that has carried out work of significant importance to the group.