The environmental watchdog fears that drilling in the area will affect the vulnerable Arctic nature. There are not sufficient preparedness facilities in the area, the authority writes in a press release.
Norway’s Ministry of Petroleum and Energy earlier this week announced that 180 million NOK will be spent on oil and gas mapping of the Jan Mayen waters in the period 2012-2014. The mapping will include both collection of seismic data and drilling operations in shallow waters, the ministry informs.
-To have knowledge about the resource potentials in the different parts of the Norwegian shelf is important, Norwegian Oil Minister Ola Borten Moe maintains. -With a specially designed progress program for the northeastern part of the Norwegian Sea, the waters by Jan Mayen and in the different parts of the Barents Sea, the government has an offensive approach to the exploitation of all our prospective areas, he adds.
The Climate and Pollution Authority however strongly challenges the stance of the ministry. “Even a small spill will most probably have major consequences for the vulnerable flora and fauna”, the authority warns and underlines that more knowledge about the local sea bottom, the fish resources, surveillance and preparedness is needed.
Read also: Norway steps up mapping of Arctic oil
The Jan Mayen waters have major fish resources and is the home to significant bird colonies. Climatic conditions in the area are harsh.
As previously reported, the government is compromise deal last week decided not to open the Lofoten waters by mainland Norway for oil exploration. However, at the same time, the authorities step up exploration in the Barents Sea.
