Four major oil and gas firms have proven gas and condensate in the Norwegian Sea Ragnfrid North (6406/2-9 S) exploration well. Norwegian oil major Equinor and compatriot Petoro, US-based giant ExxonMobil and French Total, estimate recoverable resources at 6-25 million barrels of oil equivalent.
Norway granted 83 blocks to explore for petroleum resources in the Norwegian continental shelf. The number of the blocks offered is a record, something that indicates a rising interest from oil companies in Norway’s oil sector. Equinor received the majority, with 13, while Aker BP and Lunding received 11 and 9 operatorships respectively.
‘Tavaha’ is a nordic expression for taking care of the ocean, and is also the title of a new, short documentary on plastic pollution, highlighting the can-do attitude of European activists working with marine environments. The film seeks to provide us with insight and inspiration regarding the oceanic conservation around Europe.
On January 15, Norway’s Supreme Court began hearings on whether European vessels can fish for snow crab off Arctic islands, north of Norway without getting permission from Oslo. The hearings will result into who has the right for oil explorations in the region, according to Reuters. Into question is whether the snow crab is a sedentary species that is living on the seabed or a fish stock that wanders.
The Petroleum Safety Authority Norway and the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority have audited Maersk Drilling’s routines for handling notifications of censurable conditions (whistleblowing) at work. The audit detected one non-conformity regarding deficient employee participation in the preparation of the routine.
Norwegian ferry company Norled announced it has won a contract for the development, construction and operation of the world’s first hydrogen-electric ferry, where at least 50% of the energy requirement is covered by hydrogen. Today, there are no comparable hydrogen powered vessels in operation.
Equinor has been awarded an exploitation permit for CO2-storage on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, according to Norway’s Ministry of Petroleum and Energy. The storage solution is part of the large-scale carbon capture and storage-project in Norway. If approved, the storage is set to begin operations in 2023 or 2024, Gassnova, a governmental agency in charge of developing the CCS project, reported.
Nautilus International has made its list of the top ten most aesthetically challenged vessels of recent time, noting that modern ships, either having futuristic concept designs or designs to maximize cargo-carrying capacity, tend to getting ‘uglier’ in general.
Norwegian energy giant Equinor has closed its Hammerfest liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility located on Melkøya Island in northern Norway. Equinor is making attempts to bring the facilities online again. The shutting down of the facility didn’t affect Equinor’s deliveries to its customers.
According to Norwegian Maritime Authority, all seafarer’s doctors that were approved by the Norwegian Authorities, prior to July 1 2014, are obliged to complete a basic course for NMA seafarer’s doctors and to implement a quality system within 1 July 2019.
