The Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy this week announced a list of 100 proposed new blocks along the country’s long-stretched coast. Six of them are located near the much-disputed Lofoten area, Offshore.no reports.
The Nature and Youth organization reacts strongly to the announcement, calling it an attempt to covertly start drilling in the waters, currently protected by a no-drill decision in the government coalition. The blocks are located as close as possible to he protected area, the organization’s website informs.
The Norwegian government will this year revise its management plan for the Lofoten waters, and oil interests are currently pushing hard for an opening of the promising area.
-It is absolutely unacceptable that the government just half a year before a decision on the Lofoten and Veterålen waters will taken suggests to covertly open the area for oil drilling, leader of the organization Ola Skaalvik Elvevold says.
