OSLO , NORWAY -- Governor Bill Richardson convinced Norway's largest energy company, StatoilHydro, to send representatives to New Mexico to explore investment opportunities.

Richardson also lobbied a Norwegian electric car company to consider including New Mexico in it plans as it looks toward a possible expansion into the U.S. market.

"Norway is prospering and these companies are looking for attractive opportunities for expansion and investment," said Richardson.  Business leaders were very receptive to the idea of expanding to New Mexico, Richardson added.

StatoilHydro CEO Helge Lund agreed to send a team from the company's Houston office to look for opportunities to invest in natural gas in New Mexico.

During a breakfast meeting with Jan-Olaf Willums, CEO of Norwegian electric car company TH!NK, Richardson outlined the state's clean energy incentives and pointed out that Tesla Motors is already opening a manufacturing plant in New Mexico.

The governor also met with Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg. Richardson, a former U.S. Energy Secretary, previously worked with Prime Minister Stoltenberg when he served as Norway's Energy Minister.