The biggest and most important energy source is cooperation

It is 50 years since Den Norske Stats Oljeselskap A/S – Norway's state oil company – was established. As Statoil’s first employee, Arve Johnsen entered an empty office in Stavanger on December 1, 1972. Johnsen was one of the main architects behind the company and a visionary man. But who could have imagined the importance the North Sea resources would have for Norway? And not least, what challenges had to be solved to benefit society as a whole?

Norway’s role as an energy nation is the result of an exceptional cooperation. Far-sighted politicians, skilled researchers, committed local communities, innovative suppliers and partners, and thousands of dedicated employees – out at sea and onshore. The list of contributors is long and tells the story of what is possible to achieve if we work together.

Norway found oil in 1969, but over the past 50 years, we have found an even more important source of energy: knowledge and cooperation. This is how we have solved challenges no one thought would be possible. We have done it many times. And as we are now facing the greatest challenge of our time, the climate crisis, we must do it again.

The situation is more complex than ever. With the energy crisis in Europe, Norwegian gas has never been more important. At the same time, the world must reduce the use of fossil energy to reach its climate targets. The challenges are many, but so are the solutions.

We are in the midst of the transition on the Norwegian continental shelf. The power that made tiny Norway a large energy nation is the same power that will contribute to the world’s energy transition. Over the next 50 years, the North Sea will not only be necessary for Europe’s energy needs – it will also contribute to the solutions needed to reach our common climate goals.

Together we will develop the North Sea from Europe’s most important supplier of oil and gas to Europe’s most important supplier of energy and low-carbon solutions.

Are we doing enough? And is going fast enough? These are questions many people ask themselves. The answer is: not yet. But we can’t let the challenges we face take away the energy we need to solve them.

Together, we must roll up our sleeves and build on 50 years of experience in doing what no one thought was possible.