Norwegian version of this page

The History of Statoil, 1972-2022 (completed)

The project was an academic enquiry into the history of Norway’s largest oil company, Statoil ASA, from its formation in 1972 to its 50th anniversary in 2022.

Oil platform on the sea and sky. Photo.
Photo: Statoil

About the project

The company’s domestic and international development trajectory was studied within a broad economic and socio-political context. From its very inception, Statoil was conceived to ensure “national management and control” over Norway’s petroleum and natural gas reserves.

So far, these policies of national interest have proven successful for both Norway and Statoil itself – the company has wielded substantial influence within Norway’s political economy and inter alia enabled the growth of a Norwegian cluster of oil and gas supply companies.

The project’s initial phase considered Statoil’s technological, organisational and financial development, particularly in relation to the company’s growing influence within the Norwegian oil and gas sector and the wider politico-administrative institutional framework that governs it.

Project Structure and Development

The project was led by Professor Einar Lie and was divided into two distinct phases. In the initial stage, three Postdoctoral Fellows was appointed and assigned to a particular sub-project.

  • Statoil’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Dr Ada Nissen considered the evolution of Statoil’s CSR policies and their execution at home and abroad from the 1990s onwards.
  • Statoil’s Political Influence: Eivind Thomassen conducted research into the relationship between Statoil and Norwegian politics from 1972 to 2007.
  • Statoil’s Internationalisation Strategies: Dr Jonas Fossli Gjersø investigated the process of Statoil’s international expansion from 1980 to 2014.

In the project’s second stage two volumes about the company’s history was completed:

  • Thomassen, Eivind: Commerce and politics: Statoil and Equinor 1972-2001, Universitetsforlaget, Oslo, 2022
  • Boon, Marten:National champion: Statoil and Equinor since 2001, Universitetsforlaget, Oslo, 2022

Financing

The project was funded by Statoil ASA.

Duration

2016-2022.

Tags: Economic History, Contemporary History, Petroleum History, Norwegian History, International History
Published Jan. 18, 2017 9:23 AM - Last modified Jan. 17, 2024 2:14 PM

Contact

Project leader

  • Einar Lie

 

Participants

Detailed list of participants