Henrik Ager-Hanssen
Henrik Julius Ager-Hanssen | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Stavanger, Norway |
| Died | November 19, 2004 (aged 74) |
| Occupation(s) | Nuclear physicist, corporate leader |
| Years active | 1956–1998 |
| Known for | Leadership roles in Statoil and contributions to nuclear and energy sectors |
Henrik Julius Ager-Hanssen (21 July 1930 – 19 November 2004) was a distinguished Norwegian nuclear physicist and corporate leader. His professional journey in the nuclear power industry spanned from 1956 until 1975, after which he transitioned to the oil sector, joining Statoil where he remained until 1998.
Career
Originating from Stavanger, Ager-Hanssen completed his Master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering following academic pursuits at the University of Oslo, University of Leuven, and New York University. He served as an instructor in nuclear energy technology at New York University between 1956 and 1957. Subsequently, he held various roles at the Institute for Energy Technology, including researcher, research manager, and director. Between 1971 and 1975, he was the chief executive officer of Scandpower.
In 1976, Ager-Hanssen entered Statoil as the deputy chief executive officer, reportedly recruited by Finn Lied. Following Arve Johnsen’s departure in 1988, he temporarily assumed the position of CEO. From late 1989 onwards, his focus shifted to serving as a special adviser overseeing Statoil’s operations in Brussels. He established the consultancy Ager Energy Management in 1998.
On the international stage, Ager-Hanssen led significant committees within the World Energy Council, notably chairing both the Committee for Special Studies and the Energy for Tomorrow’s World Commission. Despite Norway’s non-membership in the EU, he was appointed to the European Commission's Consultative Forum on environmental policy in 1994. His leadership extended to numerous organizations including Norsk Helikopter, Stavanger Aftenblad, Offshore Northern Seas (ONS), EnTech Invest, Scan Geophysical, Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk, the Institute for Energy Technology, the Center for International Climate and Environmental Research, and Det Stavangerske Dampskibsselskab. Additionally, he held board positions at Det Norske Veritas, Chr. Michelsen Institute, and Siemens Norway.
Ager-Hanssen was honored with fellowship memberships in several prestigious academies: the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, the Norwegian Academy of Technological Sciences, the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences, and the National Academy of Engineering.
Personal life
In 1958, he married Bjørg Ager-Hanssen; together they had two children, Marianne and Christen Ager-Hanssen. He passed away due to cancer in November 2004.