The expectations of large industrial activity in northern Norway from the Shtokman project might be too optimistic. Vice President of the Shtokman Development AG Herve Madeo says he can not guarantee any economic effects outside Russia.
Companies in the northernmost Norwegian county of Finnmark are tired of waiting for the Norwegian government to reduce red tape on work immigration from Russia. Despite promises made by the authorities last year, it is still practically impossible for Norwegian businesses to hire unskilled Russian workers.
Armament in Russia and a more aggressive tone from the Russian political establishment makes it necessary for Sweden to strengthen its armed forces, leader of the Swedish Liberal Party Jan Bjørklund argues. He also wants the country to again station armed forces at the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea.
After several years with major oil and gas activities in the Norwegian part of the Barents Sea, 2009 will see reduced exploration and less investments.
The construction of the railway line to the Bovanenkovo gas field in the Yamal Peninsula is proceeding with record-beating speed. The railway will facilitate the construction of the field, the biggest in the gas-rich peninsula.
“I believe it is time for the Swedish Armed Forces to adjust to a situation with higher level of threats”, former Swedish Minister of Defence Björn von Sydow writes in a newspaper comment. He believes Russia constitutes a growing threat to all of its neighbouring countries.
The Russian Government has authorized the state-controlled companies Gazprom and Transneft to arm their safeguard services with firearms, handcuffs and batons.
Norwegian oil major StatoilHydro will need an oil price level of 55 USD per barrel to cover all investments and expenses in 2009. Currently the oil price is just above 40 USD.
The captain of a Russian trawler died when the ship took on water and sank Tuesday outside Bear Island in the Barents Sea. Eighteen other crew members were picked up by other Russian vessels in the area.
