Norwegian Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Mr. Ola Borten Moe, gave a presentation about Norwegian energy production entitled “Energy in Norway: Looking Northwards” at University of Ottawa Wednesday November 2nd.
Norway, the world’s 2nd largest gas exporter and 7th largest oil exporter, and Canada are both Arctic countries and important energy producers. Over the last years, the Norwegian petroleum activity has gradually moved northwards. In 2007, the world’s northernmost production of Liquefied Natural Gas came on-stream in Norway. With recent discoveries, settlement of the boarder issue with Russia and the development of the Goliat oil field, the Norwegian Arctic will be one of the most interesting petroleum provinces in Norway in the years and decades to come. How does Norway balance the interests of the petroleum activity, environmental concerns, fisheries and the need for local development? What are Norway’s plans for future development of the Arctic areas? What can Canada and Norway learn from each other in terms of sustainable and prudent petroleum activities in Arctic conditions?
Mr. Borten Moe is Minister of Petroleum and Energy and vice chair of the Centre Party. In 2001 he became a member of the Norwegian Parliament, representing Sør-Trøndelag County.
Mr. Ola Borten Moe studied agronomy and political science and history at Skjetlein Agricultural School and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology respectively.
The lecture is available here.