NORCE partner in new centre for sustainable subsurface utilization

- I would like to congratulate the research communities in NORCE, the host institution UiS and all partners involved in the allocation to the National Centre for Sustainable Utilization of Energy Resources on the Norwegian Shelf, says Kristin Wallevik, CEO of NORCE.

- We look forward to contributing with our research expertise to provide new knowledge on how the Norwegian continental shelf can be utilized in the transition to renewable energy.

The National Centre for Sustainable Utilization of Energy Resources on the Norwegian Shelf (NCS2030) is awarded NOK 80 million from the Research Council of Norway over eight years.

The University of Stavanger is the host institution of the research centre. In addition to NORCE, Institute for Energy Technology (IFE) and University of Bergen (UiB), NCS2030 will collaborate with two other Norwegian universities (UiT and UiO) and 13 international academic institutions, as well as the Norwegian Research School in Petroleum. The centre includes seven major operators on the Norwegian shelf, two major technology suppliers, as well as eight innovation companies that will ensure high relevance and societal benefits.

NCS2030 will not only benefit the oil and gas industry, but also other industries that will develop energy with a reduced carbon footprint. The centre will provide new knowledge about areas in the subsurface, both in terms of extraction of new resources and how the shelf can be utilized in the transition to renewable energy and storage of CO₂ from the use of fossil energy sources.

- NORCE is very pleased with the award of Petro center NCS2030. The partners in the centre have leading competence when it comes to underground understanding and expertise. Together we will use our expertise to develop new and future-oriented solutions for the utilization of petroleum resources on the Norwegian shelf, says research leader Randi Valestrand in NORCE.

The research in NCS2030 will facilitate energy-efficient utilization of the subsurface on the Norwegian shelf and create a sustainable value chain in the subsurface. The activities will span four research areas: energy systems, zero-emission production, digitization, and society.

NORCE's special advisor and NCS2030 centre deputy manager, Ying Guo, says the knowledge developed in the centre is important for the transition the industry is facing:

- The award means a lot to the Norwegian oil and gas industry for the coming years to achieve the zero-emission ambition. Together with our industry and research partners, we will work for maximum value creation from our national oil and gas resources, and convert the Norwegian continental shelf to a low-emission energy supplier for both fossil and renewable energy on the way to a sustainable society. The center will also provide a stronger basis for recruiting young people to the offshore industry in the future.

Minister of Research and Higher Education, Ola Borten Moe points to the important connection the centre has between the research communities and the business communities:

"The centre will contribute to further developing both Norway as an oil and energy nation and the business community's competitiveness in the future. It will be an important arena for collaboration between the research community and the business community. This is how we ensure a short distance from research results and smart solutions for practical use in the industry", says Borten Moe.

Senteret skal gi ny kunnskap om områder i undergrunnen både når det gjelder utvinning av nye ressurser og hvordan sokkelen kan utnyttes i overgangen til fornybar energi og til lagring av CO₂fra bruk av fossile energikilder.

Senteret ble lansert 25. april 2022, som del av konferansen Energy Norway.

Se opptak av lanseringen her, og første dag av konferansen