I am the Research Director at NORCE Energy for the Energy Modelling and Automation group. Our group is internationally recognized as one of the leading research environments in automated and autonomous drilling. In 2021, we demonstrated autonomous drilling at Ullrigg, successfully drilling 500 meters without any involvement from the driller. To accelerate the deployment of automated and autonomous systems, our work on interoperability, conducted in close collaboration with the international industry organization D‑WIS, is essential. The D‑WIS infrastructure enables systems from different vendors to automatically discover and exchange information in real time, making it possible to realize the vision: “develop once - deploy everywhere.” In 2026, we completed another successful demonstration at Ullrigg, combining autonomous drilling with D‑WIS interoperability. Our next goal is to test this offshore together with Aker BP.
A cornerstone of our research is OpenLab, our virtual environment that is part of the Norwegian roadmap for research infrastructures. Over many years, the group has developed several groundbreaking systems that have been widely adopted by industry. OpenLab HIL (hardware‑in‑the‑loop) continues to expand into new application areas and has recently been used for OT cybersecurity testing.
Our group also hosts the SFI DigiWells centre, where I serve as Assistant Manager. This eight‑year research centre focuses on optimizing the drilling process with respect to value creation, safety, and environmental impact. Digitalization and automation are key components of this work, including interoperability and new concepts for improved measurements to support automated systems. In 2024, the DigiWells Innovation Program was launched with six funding operators, enabling research from SFI DigiWells to be adopted more rapidly by commercial actors.
Drawing on expertise in automation, modelling, AI, and other advanced technologies, the group has expanded its portfolio to include hydrogen and energy systems. Digitalization, automation, and autonomy also introduce new security challenges, and we will continue to strengthen our work in cybersecurity.
I am proud to lead a research group known for strong collaboration, deep expertise, creativity, and a consistent ability to deliver valuable results.
