Oljedirektoratet

The Shelf in 2005 - External environment

12/01/2006 During 2005 the NPD contributed to a series of different projects concerning external environment.

The NPD has worked to address the challenges between various commercial interests from the petroleum activities, fisheries and shipping, and the consequences in relation to the external environment.  The NPD has participated in the work to draw up a comprehensive management plan for the Barents Sea and the area outside Lofoten, and has provided input to the various studies that will make up the management plan.  The Directorate has also taken part in a professional group which compared the basic studies.  The NPD also participated in a Directorate group which presented a report on handling the risk of acute oil pollution in the area.

The NPD has participated in the cooperation to achieve the goal of zero discharges to sea.  Cost-effectiveness and the resource consequences of the environmental measures have been the primary focus areas for the NPD.  Significant activity is underway to implement zero discharge measures on the Shelf.

The NPD has led the work to study potential measures to reduce NOx on the shelf.  OLF and five operating companies also took part in this work.  In order to meet our obligations under the Gothenburg protocol, Norway must reduce annual emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) by 45,000 tonnes by 2010.  A new report attempts to clarify which NOx-reducing measures are technically feasible for the facilities on the Norwegian continental shelf, along with the costs and challenges associated with these measures.

The NPD has participated in a Directorate group that has examined the technical potential for reducing emissions/discharges offshore, in shipping and land-based industry.  A report was delivered to a Ministry group led by the Ministry of the Environment.

On behalf of the MPE, the NPD prepares an annual Environment brochure containing facts and a thematic section which this year will deal with petroleum activity in the Barents Sea, with particular emphasis on the stringent environmental requirements imposed on activities in the north.

The NPD draws up annual emission/discharge forecasts for the petroleum activities which are published early in the year.


Contact in the NPD:
Eldbjørg Vaage Melberg, tel. +47 51 87 61 00

Updated: 04/09/2009

Latest news

Announcement of awards in predefined areas (APA) 2024
08/05/2024 The Ministry of Energy announced APA 2024 on 8 May 2024, encompassing the predefined areas with blocks in the Norwegian Sea, Norwegian Sea and Barents Sea.
Drilling permission for the wells 7324/6-2 and 7324/8-4
06/05/2024 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted Aker BP ASA drilling permit for the wells 7324/6-2 and 7324/8-4 in production license 1170, cf. Section 13 of the Resource Management Regulations.
Eight companies have applied for CO2 storage acreage
30/04/2024 The Norwegian Ministry of Energy has received applications from eight companies in connection with the announcement of two areas in the North Sea for potential storage of CO2 on the Norwegian shelf.
Invitation to nominate blocks for mineral activities on the seabed
29/04/2024 In a letter of 29 April, the Norwegian Offshore Directorate invited players to nominate blocks in connection with the first licensing round for mineral activities on the seabed.
Drilling permission for wells 35/10-14 S and 35/10-14 A
29/04/2024 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted Equinor Energy AS drilling permit for wells 35/10-14 S and 35/10-14 A in production license 1185, cf. Section 13 of the Resource Management Regulations.
Well for data acquisition on Wisting
22/04/2024 Equinor has completed an appraisal well (7324/7-4) on the Wisting discovery in the Barents Sea. The objective was to acquire data on the reservoir and cap rock, for use in ongoing evaluation and development of the discovery.
Production figures March 2024
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Norwegian Offshore Directorate publishes new deep sea data
17/04/2024 In June 2022, the Norwegian Offshore Directorate published data collected up to 2022. The Directorate is now releasing deep sea data gathered from 2022 to 2024.
The future in the Barents Sea is here now
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Oil discovery in the North Sea
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