RWE Dea Norge AS, a subsidiary of the German oil and gas company RWE Dea AG, has won the German-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce annual business award 2012 for its focus on the development of new methods and exchange of knowledge between Norway and Germany.

The purpose of the German-Norwegian business award is to honor companies who have distinguished themselves by having innovative, forward-thinking business ideas and who also contribute to even better cooperation between Norwegian and German businesses.

The award, a purpose-made sculpture by Berlin-based Norwegian artist Knut Henrik Henriksen, was handed out at the German-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce’s annual summer party on May 31. A total of 11 companies applied to the award, which is being handed out for the third year running.

The jury said “RWE Dea has been active in Norway for a long time and has focused on innovative and sustainable research methods within the fields of geochemistry and microbiology in the exploration of oil and gas. The participation in four of the 20 largest discoveries on the Norwegian continental shelf for the past five years is a clear result of this. The company also promotes the exchange of knowledge between Norway and Germany and is otherwise engaged in cultural exchange.”