Anders's Story
Working in the Fossil Fuel Industry
I chose petroleum geophysics because it allowed me to combine physics and geology to better understand what happens beneath the Earth’s surface and why the world looks the way it does. In Norway during the 1990s, it also felt like a stable and exciting career path. At that time, I did not feel any contradiction between caring about the environment and working in oil and gas.
After completing my PhD in 2006, I joined Statoil, later renamed Equinor, where I worked for 13 years. Over time, my role became increasingly computational. I developed data-driven tools to support subsurface analysis and decision-making, and that growing focus on software and analytics eventually became an important bridge into the next phase of my career.
Equinor was a very good employer. I experienced a high level of trust, freedom, and responsibility, and I worked alongside colleagues who were consistently skilled, supportive, and collaborative. The company also offered the flexibility needed to combine demanding work with family life.
One of the things I remain most proud of is the work my colleagues and I developed that is still used internally at Equinor today. Parts of it were patented, and in 2018 our work received an award for Best Paper in The Leading Edge. Seeing research evolve into practical, durable software remains one of my strongest professional memories.
When I realised it was time to leave
There was no single dramatic moment that made me decide to leave. Instead, it was a gradual process – a growing question of whether my personal values were still aligned with the industry I worked in.
In the 1990s, I did not experience any real tension. But over the years, especially after having my first child in 2006, questions about long-term consequences, responsibility, and the future we were contributing to became harder to ignore.
By around 2012, these thoughts became something I seriously reflected on. Professionally, I was happy. I enjoyed both the work and the people around me. The challenge was more personal: over time, it became increasingly difficult for me to feel comfortable being part of a business model built around something I no longer fully supported.
Leaving felt risky. I was established within an industry associated with stability and had built a strong professional network. Emotionally, the hardest part was leaving behind a community of colleagues and friends I deeply respected. In many ways, it felt like ending a long relationship.
Most people around me were supportive, although many were surprised. Some viewed the decision as a major gamble. For me, that reaction reinforced the importance of trusting my own judgement.
What I'm Doing Today
Today, I lead a machine learning and AI team in the insurance industry.
After leaving oil and gas, I looked for opportunities where I could apply my technical and analytical background in a completely new context. An opportunity in insurance emerged, and although the move was partly opportunistic, it felt like the right direction. Having family members who had worked in insurance also made the industry feel less unfamiliar.
The first phase was difficult. I had to learn an entirely new domain while rebuilding credibility, relationships, and professional networks from scratch. Shortly afterwards, the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, and remote work made it even harder to establish a new sense of community.
At the same time, the move confirmed how transferable my skills really were. Programming, analytical thinking, and working with complexity translated surprisingly well into a more business-driven environment where prioritisation and measurable value played a larger role.
After about a year, I became impatient. I was still shaping my role and building the network I needed in order to contribute fully. Then, after around 18 months, we established a dedicated machine learning and AI team at Frende Insurance, and I became the team leader. From that point onwards, things accelerated quickly.
Today, our team works across every department in the company. We have received awards for our work and are regarded as technologically leading within our field. Just as importantly, I have once again built a strong professional network and found myself surrounded by highly skilled and motivated colleagues.
Parting Reflections
I look back on my time in the fossil fuel industry with respect rather than regret. It shaped me both professionally and personally. Leaving was not about rejecting the past, but recognising that my priorities and values had changed.
A common fear for people considering a move away from oil and gas is that their skills will not be valued elsewhere. My experience has been the opposite. Curiosity, motivation, and the willingness to learn often matter far more than expertise tied to one specific industry or toolset. Analytical thinking and the ability to work with complexity transfer remarkably well.
If there is one word that defines my journey, it is patience. I spent years building skills while still at Equinor, and I needed patience again after changing industries to rebuild my network and establish myself in a new environment.
My advice is simple: allow yourself time. Be honest about your values, realistic about the challenges, and patient with the process. What you may lose in certainty and familiarity, you can gain in alignment, growth, and meaning. For me, that has made the journey deeply worthwhile.