Olympic champion looking at Shtokman
Eight times Olympic champion in cross country skiing, Bjørn Dæhlie, has set his eyes on the Barents Region. Dæhlie has invested 6.5 million EUR in buying an area outside of Vardø in northern Norway, and promotes the area as the best base location for activity on the Shtokman gas-field.
Dæhlie has signed a forward-cover contract with Vardø municipality, which gives him the opportunity to establish an oil base on the seashore of the Barents Sea. Dæhlie describes the investment as an entry into a new area of business. After he resigned as an active cross country skier in 2001, with carrier achievements placing as the best of his sport ever, he has done very well as property investor and in sports clothing.
The fish processing factory located right next to Dahlies property, was shut down three years ago. It is owned by Kjell Inge Røkke and the Aker Corporation. Bjørn Dæhlie says to Finansavisen that he will contact Røkke to find a joint plan in creating activity in the area again.
Dæhlie says that Vardø is closer to Shtokman than any other locality in Norway or Russia. It is therefore the natural choice for base activities related to the Shtokman development. Dæhlie is going to present his plans for the public at the Offshore Northern Seas conference (ONS) in Stavanger this week.
