The debacle ended with a full retreat by Lien, but not before the issue once again had hit Norwegian headlines without any hint of a serious, fact-based discussion on a topic that is crucial to an industry that generates one-fifth of the government’s income.
Upstream’s digital news service last week revealed that Lien’s ministry, upon inviting oil companies to nominate acreage for the upcoming 24th licensing round, had enclosed maps which included areas that the government had pledged to keep off limits to the oil industry.
Prime
