"Eldar Sætre was our first choice. The industry and company are facing demanding challenges. Eldar stands out with his long experience and ability to create change. Those are qualities we need in times like these. I am extra pleased that we were able to recruit the next CEO from within Statoil," says Statoil's chair of the Board, Svein Rennemo.
Speaking after his official appointment, Eldar Sætre said the company would prioritize efforts to strengthen and extend its position on the Norwegian continental shelf.
“Internationally we will invest where we can create material and profitable positions. We will also strengthen our efforts in the transition to a low carbon society. Competitiveness and sustainability is of critical importance, either in oil and gas production or future projects in renewable energy," Sætre said.
The majority state-owned Statoil Company was founded in 1972 with headquarters in Stavanger. It has been developing offshore oil and gas for more than three decades now.
