Throughout ONS 2026, the jury has walked the exhibition floor and visited stands incognito, experiencing them just as any other visitor would. Following their assessment, the jury has selected five finalists in each of the two categories.

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Nominees – Large exhibition stands

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Archer
With compelling clarity and striking contrasts, visitors are guided into The Archer Way. The stand is inviting and thoughtfully divided into several well-designed zones, showcasing products in a clear and organised manner.

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The Archer Way is about technology, but above all it is about the expertise and the people we meet, who communicate their message with conviction and credibility.

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A/S Norske Shell
From its warm, cosy, and welcoming nest, A/S Norske Shell seeks to demonstrate how it uses technology, collaboration, and new ways of working to unlock greater value from the Norwegian Continental Shelf. And it works!

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Stories from Ormen Lange and Nyhamna are shared, while drilling artefacts are displayed as storytelling elements. Knowledgeable and enthusiastic employees welcome the visitors. In the inner secluded area of this well-designed stand, you can also read personal stories from employees about what makes them feel courageous.

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Havtil – Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority:
With an organic, deep-blue, continuous wave, Havtil achieves exactly what it set out to do with their stand at ONS 2026: draw attention to safety. The wave appeals to the senses and serves every function within the stand, acting as an inviting gateway, benches and seating areas in different zones, and tables.

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In a playful and engaging way, visitors are invited into conversations about safety with leading experts, gaining a deeper understanding of Havtil’s role as the safety authority for activities on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

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Lyse
Lyse has truly embraced this year’s ONS theme and demonstrates genuine courage through its stand. The “paintings” displayed in gold frames against green and purple walls ensure that Lyse’s stand captures attention.

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With strong visual appeal and clear references to classical historical artwork, Lyse succeeds in telling the story of the energy company’s more than 100-year history. Simultaneously, they draw us into the present and the future. The paintings are, in fact, AI-generated images, and through both text and interactive elements, visitors gain insight into just how much energy this new technology requires.

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Petoro
With a combination of seriousness and a touch of humor, visitors are encouraged to look themselves in the mirror and “swipe right.” Petoro succeeds in clearly conveying that it takes courage to make the right choices for the future.

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Thirteen bold decisions from Norway’s oil and gas history reinforce the narrative of showing courage in the face of the challenges ahead. Visitors are also challenged and willingly seize the opportunity to share their own experiences of making difficult decisions.

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Nominees – Stands smaller than 50 square meters

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IFS
By using a Formula 1 simulator as a crowd-puller, AI company IFS manages tomake something as conventional as ERP solutions genuinely exciting. Theconnection is not entirely symbolic. The global company IFS provides AI-poweredenterprise, finance, and HR solutions that are among the fastest on the market,hence the motorsport reference.

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The theme attractsboth younger and older visitors, which is staffed by a representative withdirect links to Formula 1. Welcoming employees communicate the company’sambitions and vision in a convincing and engaging manner.

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Minerva Humanoid
A robot named Roger, equippedwith arms, legs, and advanced technology, immediately captures our attention.The start-up is among the very smallest exhibitors at ONS, and the stand itselfis remarkably simple. It is Roger the robot, together with the story of hiscreators, a group of young tech enthusiasts, that makes this exhibitor standout.

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The ambition issignificant: to save lives by developing a robot capable of performinghazardous jobs in explosive or extreme environments. In a short period of time,the developers have worked tirelessly across continents to bring the projectforward. Roger has also visited larger exhibitors during ONS, introducinghimself and demonstrating his capabilities. Perhaps some of them will becomeusers of a future commercial version.

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Noova EnergySystems
ONS is characterised by energyand high pulse. Noova Energy Systems takes that reality and turns it into aclear and compelling concept. With the tagline “Don’t waste your energy”, thecompany makes immediate connection to what it does: helping businesses reduceunnecessary energy consumption. Rather than simply explaining its message,Noova invites visitors to experience it. How low can you get your heart rate injust one minute? It is a simple, playful idea – and a clever contrast to thebuss and crowds that define a day at ONS.

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The concept isreinforced by a strong visual identity, with a muted yellow colour envelopingthe stand. The strength of the stand lies in how seamlessly everything comestogether. Noova is not simply telling us to waste less energy. In the middle ofa hectic day at ONS, they give us a reason to stop, slow down and experiencethe message for ourselves.

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SG Safety
SG Safety presents itsextensive portfolio of equipment in an elegant and well-organised manner. Thecompany supplies personal protective equipment, firefighting solutions, and gasdetection instruments, in addition to training and competency development, allunder the vision of “Safety in Hazardous Environments.”

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The stand is designedin white and orange, a key part of the company’s highly recognisable brandidentity. Knowledgeable staff share product expertise and explain how thecompany uses solar panels on its office building to cover a significant portionof its own energy needs. The stand is open, welcoming, and inviting, with clearexplanations accompanying the various products on display. Everything isthoughtfully arranged, and the equipment is showcased in an exemplary manner.

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Ulstein
Ulstein’s stand exudesmaritime confidence, dignity, and reliability. Blue, wave-like curtains atvarying heights create a sense of shelter, forming intimate spaces andwelcoming zones within the compact stand. Ship models and film presentationsshowcase the distinctive character of Ulstein’s vessel designs in a way that isboth informative and almost meditative.

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Combined withknowledgeable and approachable staff who communicate with authenticity andexpertise, Ulstein successfully conveys both confidence and courage through itspresence at ONS.

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Award Ceremony

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The winners of the ONS 2026 Best Stand Awards will be announced Thursday 27 August at 13:00, at the Scale-Ups stage.

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Join us for the announcement and find out which exhibitors will take home this year’s Best Stand Awards.

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