Striking a balance

The Norwegian government wants to encourage the extension of the life of mature fields, but, aware of the demands of international oil firms, will balance this with new opportunities – the coveted Nordland 6 area may be available in the next licensing round. David Townsend talks to Einar Steensnæs, the energy minister

THE GOVERNMENT hopes to respond this year to industry calls for new upstream opportunities by making offshore areas in the Norwegian and Barents Seas available for more exploration and possible development, says Einar Steensnæs, the petroleum and energy minister. Oil and gas companies operating on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) have made it clear that they want access to acreage north of the existing mature fields in the North Sea. They are particularly interested in the Nordland 6 area, west of the Loføten Islands in the Norwegian Sea and south of the Barents Sea. No further exploration work will be permitted in this area, an important fishing resource, until an environmental impact