Falling production brings oil industry into vulnerable waters
The significant drop in Norwegian oil production makes the industry with increasing pressure call for an opening of vulnerable northern waters. Highest on the oil industrys wishing list are the areas outside the Lofoten islands.
Norwegian oil production is dropping quickly and the industrys need for new fields is increasing. In 2001, Norwegian oil production totalled 3,1 million barrels per day. Six years later production had dropped to 2,2 million barrels per day, and further reductions are expected in the years to come. The industry now looks towards Lofoten. -These areas have Klondike-status among the oilmen, newspaper Dagens Næringsliv reports. According to Per Terje Vold from the Norwegian Oil Industry Association (OLF), the Nordland VI, Nordland VII and Troms II blocks outside Lofoten are considered the most prospective areas. He adds that especially the Nordland VI block is of interest. However, the oil industry will not easily get access to their favoured areas. The Nordland VI area is currently protected against all petroleum-related activities, and in the Nordland VII and Troms II areas only seismic mapping is allowed. The oil industry still eyes a change in the government stance on the Lofoten areas. In 2010, a new plan for the area will be adopted, and the oilmen now pushes for an opening of the area.
