Aasland excludes fuel exploration exterior Lofoten, Vesterålen and Senja

Aasland rejects the likelihood that the federal government will open the sector exterior Lofoten, Vesterålen and Senja. It was closed in 2001 by the Stoltenberg authorities for local weather causes.

– This space is protected. We stand by that, mentioned Aasland when he was challenged on a potential reopening within the Storting’s query time.

The Conservative Celebration introduced on Tuesday that they’re in favor of a reopening. The rationale is that Norway is a steady and security-politically essential provider of fuel to Europe. This doesn’t imply that one ought to search for new discoveries within the Nordland VI space, however the celebration needs licenses which have already been awarded to be continued.

This isn’t related, Aasland clarified.

– Now we have simply introduced the administration plan, so it’s out of the query to open that space for exercise, he mentioned.

– No new pondering

Aasland was courted by Høyre’s Nikolai Astrup, who believed the federal government needs to be prepared to rethink fuel coverage. He outlined that there are alternatives within the Storting if Labor joins forces with the bourgeois aspect on this matter.

– Is the minister prepared to search for a brand new majority to get a extra aggressive exploration coverage in order that we discover extra fuel, requested Astrup, who described the federal government’s cooperation with SV as a brake block.

SV was additionally clear in its condemnation of a potential reopening, which power coverage spokesman Lars Haltbrekken described as “a dangerous proposal to open up oil and fuel operations in our frequent dinner plate”.

However the invitation was shortly rejected by Aasland, who burdened that he’s nicely glad with the collaboration with SV. The thought of ​​opening fuel manufacturing at Nordland VI didn’t signify a brand new strategy both, he believed.

– If that is what the Conservative Celebration is considering, then I’m stunned. There’s not a lot creativity or innovation in it, mentioned the power minister.

Will wager on fuel for blue hydrogen

He identified that stability and predictability are most essential for the oil and fuel trade. On this respect, allocations within the mature areas on the shelf (allocations in predefined areas – TFO) can be most essential, Aasland maintained.

The federal government goals for 10 per cent of Norwegian fuel manufacturing in 2030 to go to the manufacturing of blue hydrogen to be bought to Germany.

Astrup identified that the shortcut to power transition in Germany is through Norwegian fuel. And he questioned if Aasland can assure the Germans that there can be sufficient Norwegian fuel out there to supply blue hydrogen.

– We’re going to make it potential for the oil and fuel trade to have predictability, in order that extra fuel might be discovered. And set up it both for the fuel provides, which Europe will depend upon, or convert it over, seize CO2 and export it within the type of blue hydrogen, mentioned Aasland.