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AN INDUSTRY
FOR THE FUTURE
2011 WAS A GOLDEN YEAR FOR NORWAY’S OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY. IN ADDITION TO THE HISTORIC AGREEMENT WITH
RUSSIA ON THE MARITIME DELIMITATION IN THE BARENTS SEA, THREE NEW GIGANTIC OIL DISCOVERIES SUPPORT
THE MINISTER OF PETROLEUM AND ENERGY’S STATEMENT THAT “THIS IS AN INDUSTRY FOR THE FUTURE”.
TEXT: SVEIN INGE LEIRGULEN
Ola Borten Moe became Norway’s
new Minister of Petroleum and
Energy only a few months before
the long awaited treaty between Norway
and Russia on the maritime delimitation
in the Barents Sea and the Polar Ocean
entered into force on 7 July 2011.
What does this agreement mean to both of the
countries?
With this treaty, we are setting an example
on how delimitation issues can be resolved
peacefully, in accordance with international
law and within the framework of modern
international jurisprudence. Norway
and Russia are also making it clear that
there is no ongoing race for resources in
the Arctic, but that they both – as responsible
Arctic coastal states – are adhering to
international law.
New opportunities for petroleum activities
and cooperation are now emerging in
areas of the Barents Sea that were previously
closed to such activities. The treaty
also covers cooperation in these areas –
not least with regard to the exploitation
of any transboundary petroleum deposits
that are discovered. Such deposits are to
be exploited as one unit.
Norway has already started the geological
mapping on its side of the delimitation
line. This will be one element in an impact
assessment that we will carry out for this
part of our continental shelf.
What is Norway’s future strategy in the north?
As mentioned, the geological mapping of
the new areas in the South-East Barents Sea
started last summer and will continue in
the summer of 2012 as part of an impact
assessment process, as described in our
Petroleum Act. Such an impact assessment
is required as a basis for opening this area
for petroleum activities.
In addition, we plan to award new production
licences in the Barents Sea South in
our ordinary licensing rounds.
Could you comment on the safety challenges
and environmental risk posed by O&G activities
in such sensitive, harsh and remote areas of the
world?
Norway has carried out petroleum activities
in the Arctic for more than thirty
years. Our experience is that the conditions
in this area require the same kind
of regulation of safety and the environment
as other parts of the Norwegian
Continental Shelf. The basic frameworks
and conditions for the petroleum activities
have now been determined by the
Government through the integrated
management plan for the Barents Sea
and Lofoten, which was adopted by the
Norwegian parliament in June this year.
What is the importance of cooperation on health,
safety and the environment, such as the Barents
2020 project between the Norwegian and
Russian O&G industries?
I believe that this project is very valuable as
a means of sharing experience and knowledge
between Norway and Russia. This project
will therefore continue into a new stage.
How will Norway work to ensure the same low
level of risk in the northern areas as in the North
Sea?
The petroleum legislation applies in the
same manner to all parts of the Norwegian
Continental Shelf. A thorough risk analysis
must be carried out by the licensees as the
basis for any petroleum activity – including
in the north. In addition, concrete requirements
are set with regard to discharges
and emissions to sea and air – in the
16 – no 01 2012