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“DNV has taken a lead within LNG,
and research programs are on-going
throughout the country due to the
knowledge we have in Norway.”
long-term with regard to further the establishment
of the oil and gas activities in the Arctic zone?
Extraction of petroleum in the Arctic
zone can provide new opportunities for
Norwegian petroleum companies and
Norwegian suppliers. Exploration and
extraction will have to take place within
the parameters set by the Ministry of
Petroleum and Energy, and shall ensure
consideration of environmental conditions,
fisheries and other business interests. The
activities must also be carried out within
the framework provided in the Management
Plan for the Barents Sea and the sea areas
off the Lofoten Islands.
The maritime delimitation line between Norway
and Russia is now in place. How do you foresee
that cooperation with Russia will be in the
future?
The recent treaty on maritime delimitation
and cooperation in the Barents Sea and
the Arctic Ocean provides new opportunities
for Norwegian-Russian economic
cooperation, both offshore and onshore.
We have great expectations that the treaty
will open up for greater growth in the
North, and increased cooperation and
exchange of expertise across the border.
What opportunities do you see for Norway
from an industrial perspective?
Norway has the world’s most advanced
and second largest offshore fleet, after
the US. Norwegian offshore shipping and
other maritime companies have significant
experience in oil activity at sea in harsh
weather conditions. A specific initiative by
the government has aimed to strengthen
maritime expertise and research. This will
help ensure that the Norwegian maritime
industry is poised to exploit opportunities
and meet challenges related to Arctic oil,
gas and marine resources, and open new
transport routes for energy and shipping
in the North.
Increased petroleum activity in the Arctic
could also provide development and operating
projects for Norwegian suppliers who
already possess great expertise in petroleum
operations in cold climates.
The political climate is now in place to ensure
cooperation with Russia on security and sustainability
in the future. What are the Norwegian
government’s next steps?
The relationship between Norway and
Russia is currently very good, and there
are frequent meetings and visits at both
the political and business level. The
Norwegian authorities are using every
opportunity to address the challenges
related to the framework conditions for
investments in talks with Russian authorities.
Challenges and problem cases are
also discussed in meetings between
Norwegian and Russian authorities.
The private sector has for years requested
strategic priority of Russia in terms of
improved conditions for investments in
the Russian market. Our government is
now working on a national strategy for economic
cooperation with Russia, to identify
the potential for increased cooperation
and the challenges Norwegian industry is
facing in Russia.
How can human and environmental safety be
ensured?
Norway underlines the need for an
improved Polar Code with regard to safety
and the environment. It is important for us
to ensure that the design and use of equipment
is suitable for operation in Arctic
waters, and that environmental concerns
are addressed in a proper manner.
An Agreement on Search and Rescue
(SAR) through the Arctic Council (Canada,
Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, the
Russian Federation, and Sweden) was
signed in May 2011; this will improve
search and rescue response in the Arctic.
The Council is now working on a similar
common instrument for Arctic oil spills.
The signing of the SAR Agreement is a
positive step toward building partnerships
in the Arctic. In particular, it reflects the
commitment of the Arctic Council states
to enhance their cooperation and offer
responsible assistance to those involved in
a range of activities, as the Arctic region is
opening up for shipping and energy developments.
no 01 2012 – 23