Atle Staalesen

New visa regulation could curb cooperation

Consequences for cross-border traveling and cooperation could be dramatic as Schengen countries and Russia tit-for-tat introduce biometric visas.

July 29, 2015

Statoil, Rosneft complete joint tundra drilling

The two companies’ first ever joint drilling operations could result in the development of a major new Arctic oil field.

July 28, 2015

Russian Navy sails new spy ship into Arctic waters

The “Yuri Ivanov” will patrol in the Arctic and keep a close eye on neighbor and NATO member Norway.

July 27, 2015

Snowden in the borderland

Wistleblower Edward Snowden is winner of this year’s recognized Bjørnson Award, but Norwegian authorities are unlikely to guarantee his safe travel to the award ceremony. The former CIA employee should instead be handed over the award in Pechenga, the Russian borderlands to Norway, a Norwegian university lecturer suggests.

June 20, 2015

Russian Arctic for Russian ships

A new law might force shipping companies to sail in the Arctic only under Russian flag.

June 19, 2015

Drilling ongoing at Prirazlomnoye

Another well will be completed by the end of June, Gazprom Neft Director for offshore projects Andrey Patrushev says.

June 19, 2015

Sanctions notwithstanding, Statoil and Rosneft prepare for drilling

The two companies might carry out their first joint drillhole in 2016.

June 18, 2015

Rosneft completes historical Arctic expedition

For ten weeks the nuclear powered icebreaker “Yamal” brought a major team of researchers practically all along Russia’s Arctic coast.

June 17, 2015

From Shtokman to fishermen

The Murmansk Economic Zone was presented as a miracle cure for regional development and as key facility for the Shtokman project. Today, five years on, regional authorities put their faith in the fish industry.

June 16, 2015

Polish oilmen go Arctic

The Polish energy company PGNiG aims for Norwegian Arctic licenses in areas near the maritime border to Russia.