Norwegian Minister of Petroleum and Energy Terje Riis-Johansen yesterday announced that a total of 94 new blocks in the Norwegian Sea and in the Barents Sea will be included in the country’s 21 round of licenses.
As reported by BarentsObserver, the announcement is a historic movement of the Norwegian oil industry towards the North.
Read also: Norway announces drilling boom in Barents Sea
The announcement is perceived with criticism by environmentalists who warn against drilling in Arctic waters.
Environmentalists especially criticize the government for having included two blocks near the Lofoten Archipelago in the new license round. The two blocks are both located just outside protection zone laid down by the state management plan for the area and are important spawning areas for cod. Both the Norwegian Climate and Pollution Agency and the country’s Marine Research Institute, as well as the Fishery Directorate and the Nature Management Directorate, have warned against drilling in the area.
Read also: Norway closer decision on Lofoten oil
Environmental foundation Bellona says the announcement shows that the Minister of Petroleum does not pay attention to the advise of environmental expertise.
-We knew that the petroholics in the government would make a wide-reaching announcement. But it is both surprising and absurd to observe this when we at the same time know what is going on in the Gulf of Mexico, Bellona Deputy Leader Marius Holm says to Bellona.no.
