• 35 years of oil industry experience
• Master in Petroleum Technoloy, University of Stavanger
• APC 2018 – Present
• Rogaland Research (now IRIS) 2003 – 2006
• Statoil 1996 – 2017
• Various well service companies 1982 – 2003

Markestad's experience lies within well technology, petroleum technology, business development and technical/commercial reviews in relation to decision gates. He has extensive industry experience from Norway, Canada and Venezuela.

Prior to joining APC in 2018 Markestad served as VP Investment Arena at Statoil, where he had the responsibility for all independent technical and commercial quality reviews of investment proposals given to Statoil's Central Executive Committee. Among key development projects reviewed during this period were the Johan Sverdrup field, Johan Castberg field, Troll Phase II and Snorre Extension alongside several other projects in Norway and abroad.

Other roles at Statoil include the position as VP Statoil Canada and Manager Statoil Venezuela. Markestad has also served as Department Manager for Well Technology at Rogaland Research (now Iris) where he developed testing methods for sand screens and algorithms for optimizing screen slot withs.