Norway's Arctic development will take time and money
Norway's Arctic experience shows that development in the High North will take time - and money
In 1896, on his return to Norway after an ill-fated three-year quest to reach the geographical North Pole, the country's pioneering polar explorer Fridtjof Nansen said: "The difficult is what takes a little time; the impossible is what takes a little longer." Almost 120 years after his Arctic expedition, Nansen's statement could apply equally to exploration and production in Norway's High North. While resources totalling an estimated 8 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe) lie in Norway's Barents Sea play alone, Norway's slow steps in the High North are proof that as well as deep pockets, a thorough understanding of the operational environment and technological expertise, companies hoping
Also in this section
23 April 2026
The addition of an oil pipeline to the Power of Siberia 2 gas project could ensure deliveries of Russian oil to China, materially shorten logistics lines between West Siberia and final customers, and—amid disruption in the Strait of Hormuz—offer a land-based export route that reduces exposure to maritime chokepoints
23 April 2026
There is a clear push to bolster exports to Asia amid uncertainty around its North American neighbour, but there are limits to the benefits from the energy crisis
23 April 2026
Shell made the play-opening discovery in Namibia’s Orange basin back in 2022, but its next well could decide whether the project can actually be commercialised
22 April 2026
The failure of OMV Petrom’s keenly watched exploration campaign at Bulgaria’s Han Asparuh block highlights the Black Sea’s uneven track record, despite major successes like Neptun Deep and Sakarya
