Norwegian minister 'stirs Lofoten waters'

Stirring the pot: Petroleum & Energy Minister Ola Borten Moe

MARIUS FISKUM

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By Steve Marshall and news reports

 17 January 2013 10:54 GMT

Norway’s Petroleum & Energy Minister Ola Borten Moe has stirred up a hornets’ nest after this week apparently sending out mixed signals over the opening of eco-sensitive areas off the Lofoten Islands for oil and gas exploration.

The minister recently ruled out an impact assessment study over unopened acreage in Nordland 6, Nordland 7 and Troms 2 off Lofoten and Vesteraalen during the next four years as he wanted to see a more gradual opening of the area in the light of concerns over the fishing industry.

The move came as a blow for the oil industry, which had hoped to see such a study being launched after parliamentary elections this autumn to pave the way for exploration in the region that is believed to hold hydrocarbon resources of…

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