Norway

Norway hopes for a continued rise in offshore exploration and development activity to ensure steady oil and gas production through the next decade.

The Petroleum Safety Authority Norway launched an investigation into an LNG leak at the Hammerfest LNG plant on 17 June.

Equinor has grabbed seven new licenses in the Barents and Norwegian Seas, the latest in a flurry of offshore activity in which the firm has added acreage off the UK and Brazil, gained approval for a big Arctic project, and awarded billions of dollars in service contracts.

Figures from a 2017 study on trends in risk level in the petroleum activity show progress for a number of risk indicators. But serious personal injuries are growing, while feedback on the working environment, the HSE climate and perceived risk is moving in the wrong direction.

The cost cuts made during the downturn and the recent increase in oil prices have led to some global offshore projects becoming economically viable. Norway is leading the comeback.

Norwegian suppliers Framo, Maritime Partner, Norbit Aptomar, and NorLense have come together to create the Oil Spill Recovery Vessel Group to offer a complete oil-spill-response solution.

The petroleum industry is becoming increasingly dependent on digital systems, and companies have ambitious plans for increased use of digital technology—along the entire value chain. A new report shows how digitalization affects health, safety, and the environment.

A reservoir-conditions coreflood study was undertaken to assist with design of drilling and completion fluids for a Norwegian field. Multiple fluids were tested, and the lowest permeability alterations did not correlate with the lowest drilling-fluid-filtrate-loss volumes.

Aqualis Offshore and Aker BP have signed a 5-year frame agreement. Aker was awarded 23 new production licenses by the Norway Ministry of Petroleum and Energy on 16 January.

At the State Council on 17 January, Ola Elvestuen was appointed as minister of climate and environment. Elvestuen is a member of parliament and represents Oslo. He was first elected to parliament in 2013 and has been deputy leader of the Liberal Party since 2008.