– When the ice retreats northwards, the oil industry must be allowed to follow suit, says Frp leader Sylvi Listhaug. Simply put, she wants to push the limits of the politically defined ice edge. It sets limits on how far north in the Barents Sea oil and gas can be searched for. OIL BARREL: FRP leader Sylvi Listhaug proudly displays the oil barrel that serves as a standing table in the party’s corridors at the Storting. Photo: Mats Rønning / news The Progress Party tried the same thing four years ago. It was the last time the management plan for the Barents Sea was revised. But the party helped secure a majority for an update in 2024, one year earlier than has been usual. And it is this rematch that the FRP is now preparing for. Facts about the ice edge zone The ice edge zone is an area in the Barents Sea, where it has been decided that oil and gas should not be explored or extracted. The reason for the protection is that the area is particularly important for a number of fish and animal species – including endangered species. Since the extent of the ice cover in this sea area varies from year to year, the Storting, following professional recommendations, has adopted the following definition: The ice edge is where there is a 30 per cent daily chance of more than 15 per cent ice in April. April is used as the target, as this is the month in which the ice has moved furthest south. The Progress Party, like the oil and gas industry, wants to have a so-called “dynamic ice edge” – and believes that the ice edge should go “where the ice is at all times”. “Democratic oil” Listhaug says it is important for several reasons to open the areas further north to oil operations. – It is security policy. It is energy policy. It is also about jobs and income for Norway, says the Frp leader. – Norway has a responsibility in Norway to produce democratic oil and gas, so we can supply Europe and democratic countries with which we have a partnership, she continues. The parties in the Storting – including the FRP – agree that there should be no search for oil near the edge of the ice. The reason is that the area is important for fishing and wildlife. – It is, after all, a professionally determined ice edge zone. Why should the politicians adopt another limit? – Of course we also want a buffer zone. But there is war in Europe. We need energy. We need oil and gas for the foreseeable future. And Norway must take responsibility for producing it. But then we have to look for more if we are to keep up production. – No interest There are some regulars in the Norwegian climate debate. Oil operations outside Lofoten, Vesterålen and Senja are one such example. Where the border should go for oil operations in the Arctic is another matter. NOT INTERESTED: Hildegunn T. Blindheim in the industry organization Offshore Norway says that there are completely different areas than around the ice edge that the industry will primarily extract oil and gas from. Photo: William Jobling / news – In principle, the industry believes that the ice edge should be defined where the ice edge actually is. But having said that, we do not feel that there is much interest from our members in exploring in the northern Barents Sea, says managing director Hildegunn Blindheim in Offshore Norway. – So there is simply no demand for what the FRP is asking for? – What is important is that we still get access to attractive land, especially in the southern Barents Sea, the Norwegian Sea and the North Sea. But there is currently no great interest in the North Barents Sea. SV uneasy Despite the lukewarm response from the oil industry, SV’s climate policy spokesperson Lars Haltbrekken is uneasy. DISTURBED: SV representative Lars Haltbrekken. Photo: Tale Hauso / news – Yes, we have seen the great eagerness of the oil-hungry parties to constantly give the oil industry access to new areas, so we fear what may happen after the election in 2025. – But the industry itself says that are completely different areas it primarily looks at now? – At the same time, they agree in principle with the Progress Party, so we fear that other parties may also pick up on the proposal from the FRP after the election, he says. – But the Progress Party also wants a buffer around the edge of the ice for the sake of fish and wildlife? – The ice edge zone moves from year to year, and if we listen to the science, it says that the ice edge zone actually goes much further south than what the political majority in the Storting has decided, says Haltbrekken. Rejects change Listhaug believes the world situation makes it necessary to make more areas available to the oil industry. – Now is the time to think about the responsibility Norway has to ensure energy supply in a very troubled time. I hope that it trumps sitting and messing around and appeasing SV. – Do you honestly believe that Ap and Sp will be able to form a majority with Frp in this matter – and put SV on the sidelines? – Yes, if they are going to develop the industry and not liquidate it, then they have to, she says. COMING SOON: The new management plan for the Barents Sea is coming soon, according to Climate and Environment Minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen (Ap). Photo: Siri Vålberg Saugstad / Siri Vålberg Saugstad Climate and Environment Minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen (Ap) says the government is in the running with the management plan. He has little sense of the proposal from the Frp. – So I think it is a relatively frivolous and unprofessional starting point from the Progress Party. A large part of the Barents Sea has been opened, and there is considerable available exploration space for the petroleum industry there. There is no reason to change the ice edge zone as laid down in the Storting’s decision, he says.
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Ready for rematch for the edge of the ice – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
