I am leading the NORCE Energy Modelling and Automation group. The group is internationally recognized and at the forefront of automated drilling technology. In 2021 we took this a step further when we were the first in the world to demonstrate autonomous drilling on a full-scale rig and 500 meters were drilled without the involvement of the driller. Important for our research within drilling is our virtual facility, OpenLab, which is on the Norwegian roadmap for Research Infrastructure. Over many years, the group has developed several ground-breaking systems that have been widely adopted by industry.
The group hosts SFI DigiWells where I am the assisting director. Within this 8-year-long centre, we work to optimize the drilling process with regard to value creation, safety and environmental impact. Digitalization and automation are important elements and include interoperability and new concepts for better input measurements. In 2024, the DigiWells Innovation Program was established with 6 financing operators. This will ease the industrialization of research in the SFI, and technology can be commercialized more quickly.
Based on knowledge and experience in areas such as automation, modelling, AI and other advanced technologies, the group has expanded the portfolio to include hydrogen and energy systems. It is an honour for the group to host a second centre, this time for environment-friendly energy, FME HyValue.
I am a proud leader of a group that collaborates well and is characterised as knowledgeable, creative and eager to find solutions to societal and industrial challenges.
