The DEMO 2000 program is an initiative supported by the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (MPE) in order to ensure long term competitiveness in the oil and gas business and continued profitable development of the petroleum resources of the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

The program also aims to develop innovative Norwegian industrial products, systems and processes for the global offshore market. The steering group for the program consists of representatives from oil companies, service industry and research institutes.

Since its start autumn 1999, a total of 380 million NOK have been awarded through 8 application rounds within reservoir description and interpretation, drilling and well technology, seabed/downhole processing and multi-phase transport, deepwater technology and gas utilisation.

To date more than 130 projects have been approved by the Steering Committee. The DEMO 2000 support has triggered supplementary funding from oil companies and from the contractors themselves to a total funding in excess of NOK 1,8 Bn.

In the national strategy for increased value creation in the petroleum sector, OG21 (Oil & Gas in the 21st century), oil companies, service industry, research institutes and the government have identified technology target areas that require technology development and collaboration. This strategy is summarised in a document (www.og21.no) that governs DEMO 2000 and other research programs.