It was also established a "full" stop of immigration and a local Vinmonopol store. Successful in being consecutively elected as mayor from 2003 to 2007, in this term the main issues was development of the city centre, better drug addiction recovery programs, development of schools and construction of a waterpark. While the municipality was struggling with large deficits before Søviknes became mayor, this has since been turned into a significant surplus as of 2004. His successful career as mayor of Os has gained him the nickname the "Wizard of Os" by the media. On 20 December 2016 Søviknes was appointed Minister of Petroleum and Energy in the Solberg Cabinet, succeeding fellow party member Tord Lien. Søviknes married his first wife, Janniche Askeland in 1998 and they have two children together. In October 2011 they announced that they were separating. Søviknes is an avid bridge enthusiast and former president of the Os Bridge Club.