Turning Rocks into Knowledge

Since early 2005, Simula Research Laboratory and StatoilHydro have built a strong and long-term research collaboration in computational geosciences. The main goal for this collaboration is to strengthen the procedures used in oil and gas exploration through new and improved computer-based models of geological and geophysical processes. So far, the 4D Lithosphere Model and a new generation of the Compound Modelling technology have been successfully established, and the collaboration has become strategically important for both organisations. More contributions to the field are progressing rapidly and potentially will lead to improved reliability of depositional models, better insight into the physics of underwater gravity flows of sediments, and more accurate descriptions of deformations in sedimentary basins. This chapter describes the background for the research collaboration as well as ongoing scientific activities. Using the results obtained from academic and industrial pursuits as a backdrop, we also summarise the key factors responsible for the successful implementation of a close link between the basic research community and industry. The coupling of research tasks of an academic nature with technology development has proven to be bidirectional, in that development-oriented activities lead to new PhD and postdoctoral research projects and vice versa. The intimate connection between the axes of research and development is a particular strength in the StatoilHydro-Simula collaboration. This feature is a consequence of both companies being committed to long-term research and the flexibility offered by Simula’s organisation.