CSSR Annual Conference 2026
Date: 22-23 September 2026
Venue: UiB Learning Arena
CSSR's annual conference is an open forum for exchange of novel concepts and technology developments within subsurface research that can facilitate the energy transition on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS). The conference will explore the opportunities and consequences of electrification of offshore operations. Sessions will spotlight cutting-edge research within petroleum, CCS and underground energy storage.
* Please note that this is a preliminary programme. We are currently confirming speakers and will update the programme on an ongoing basis.
Day 1: Value generation and the green transition on the NCS
Morning session: Industry-oriented research to accelerate the energy transition
How do geopolitical shifts and environmental crises impact the energy transition? What is the role of petroleum research in helping manage conflicting goals of energy security and greenhouse gas reduction?
Scene-setting plenary “Energy2050 Omverdensanalyse” Panel debate on policy and industry engagement Three national Petrocentres discuss research impact
- Sofie Helene Jebsen, Manager, THEMA Consulting
- State Secretary Snorre Erichsen Skjevrak, Norwegian Ministry of Energy
- Jez Averty, Senior Vice President for Technology Digital & Innovation,
- Maria Eide, Senior Advisor, Research Council of Norway Subsurface, Equinor
- Sarah Gasda, CSSR, NORCE Research
- Ane Elisabet Lothe, LowEmission Centre, SINTEF
- Alejandro Escalona Varela, NCS2030, University of Stavanger
Afternoon session: scientific landscape in subsurface research
What are the broad international research trends and urgent scientific challenges in subsurface research? Scientific keynotes will represent key subsurface disciplines.
- Maartje Boon, Head of Department, Institute for Applied Mechanics, University of Stuttgart, Germany
- Geir Evensen, Chief Scientist, Data Assimilation and Optimization, NORCE Research, Norway
- Sebastian Geiger, Professor of Sustainable Geoenergy and Energi Simulation Chair at the Department of Geoscience and Engineering, TU Delft, Netherlands
- Martin Landrø, Professor in Department of Electronic Systems, Director of the Centre for Geophysical Forecasting, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Norway
Day 2: Frontiers in subsurface research
Invited talks from international research collaborators will anchor deep-dive technical sessions covering CSSR’s comprehensive research program at NORCE and University of Bergen. Confirmed speakers are listed below.
DEEP DIVE 1 – Value of Data Accessibility and Sharing
How can better access to data unlock new scientific discoveries and accelerate innovation? This session brings together industry and academic leaders to discuss data sharing, open science, and the infrastructure needed to support the next generation of subsurface research.
- Martin Blunt, Professor, Chair in Flow in Porous Media, Imperial College London
- Hamidreza Yousefi, Scientist, TNO
- Na Liu, Researcher, Department of Physics and Technology, Univ of Bergen
DEEP DIVE 2 – Role of Agents in Scientific and Industrial Research
From AI assistants to autonomous decision-making systems, intelligent agents are reshaping research and industry. This session explores emerging applications and future opportunities for agent-based technologies across the energy and subsurface sectors.
- Knut-Andreas Lie, Research Manager and Chief Scientist, SINTEF Digital
- Oja Ogezi, Senior Manager Performance, Harbour Energy
Deep Dive 3 – Data integration across disciplines
What does it take for observations at one scale to become models that hold up at another? This session follows data across scales and disciplines, combining CSSR research with industry and institute perspectives on how that integration is done in practice.
- Catherine Padde Amusugut, PhD Fellow, University of Bergen
- Annie Biwen An Stepec, Senior Researcher, NORCE Research
- Aksel Hiorth, Professor, University of Stavanger
Please note that the conference is planned as in-person event, and hybrid participation is not anticipated. As spots are limited, the conference organizers may prioritize participation for CSSR affiliated members. The agenda is subject to change.
Venue: UiB Learning Arena
Past CSSR annual conferences
Joint National Petrocentre Energy Research Conference
