Norway looking for oil in Lofoten

Norwegian Minister of oil and energy Aslaug Haga says she is sceptical towards oil exploration in the Lofoten areas outside northern Norway. At the same time, the government continues to support the ongoing seismic studies in the area.

In the background lures StatoilHydro and the Norwegian petroleum establishment, which sees the Lofoten area as one of the most promising areas on the Norwegian shelf. StatoilHydro CEO Helge Lund has openly said that his company is stepping up pressure on the authorities for an opening of the areas.
According to newspaper Dagens Naeringsliv, the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate will start collecting 2D-seismics in the area “Nordland VII” outside Lofoten and Vesteralen about 15 May and 3D-seismics in the Troms II area in June. In addition, the Norwegian oil and energy ministry has this year initiated twice as much oil exploration on the shelf as last year.

Meanwhile, the Norwegian fish industry is protesting the petroleum-related activities in the area. At its recent annual assembly the Norwegian Seafood Federation left no doubt that it is strongly against any oil-related operations in the area Lofoten, Tromsoflaket og pa Morebankene outside northern Norway.

Barents Observer