Almost a decade after Norway’s flagship operator Statoil merged with the oil division of its domestic rival Norsk Hydro, industry players and politicians are concerned about the state-controlled company’s continued dominance.
When parliament approved the merger in 2007, it was agreed that Statoil’s position should be curtailed to ensure healthy competition.
However, it still operates more than 70% of Norway’s oil and gas production, and was recently awarded operatorship of almost the same share of virgin Barents Sea acreage in the 23rd licensing round.
The
