Komi Republic located in the Far East of the Barents Region is a major oil and gas producer in the European part of the Russian Federation.
Norway and Komi both share the risks that an increase in oil and gas shipment bring to the sea and both need to improve the efficiency in oil and gas extraction such as fully use the potentials of associated gas. These and many other issues were brought up at the seminar – such as exchange of information on the licensing processes and on the need for a joint Norwegian-Russian management plan on the Barents Sea focusing exclusively on fossil fuel extraction.
Organizational features of the petroleum sector in Norway was also at the center of attention as OLF – the Norwegian Oil Industry Association - informed on its role and hosted the event in cooperation with Komi Republic.
The event was followed up by a separate seminar devoted to energy efficiency where Komi informed on ambitious plans approved in 2010 for cuts in energy consumption. Also this seminar was coordinated by the Barents Regional Council.
Read also: Barents cooperation important for Komi
The implementation of the new policies involves energy saving projects in the municipal sphere such as street lighting and public buildings finding new technical solutions.
The Komi Republic has invited Troms Kraft to be a partner in this development.
The seminar was co-hosted by the Norwegian-Russian Chamber of Commerce and the Republic of Komi. Energy efficiency is the topic for a series of seminars to take place in Barents Russia; after Syktyvkar follows Arkhangelsk, Murmansk and Narjan-Mar.
Text: Anna Lund
