Despite warnings about climate catastrophe, Norway’s ‘Minister of Petroleum and Energy’ Terje Aasland affirms that new oil discoveries are needed, therefore the Norwegian government is preparing for a significant expansion of oil and gas exploration: 92 new blocks in North Norwegian waters. According to Aasland, new Norwegian discoveries are important both for Norway and Europe: indeed, since the energy crisis following Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, Norway is making record-high revenue from its natural gas exports. The 92 new so-called ‘Awards in Predefined Areas’ (APA) are all in the Norwegian Sea and the Barents Sea, located as far north as the 73rd parallel. The proposed new acreage also stand in contrast to the recommendations of the ‘International Energy Agency’ (IEA): the IEA warns that there can be no new oil and gas projects if global warming is to be kept below 1,5 °C. The expansive oil policy is met with outrage from environmentalists: according to Frode Pleym, Head of Greenpeace Norway, the Government of Jonas Gahr Støre is hypocritical in climate issues. Read more on Thebarentsobserver.com
