Fugro to Conduct NPD Shoot in Nordland VII, Troms II

Norwegian Petroleum Directorate

The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) will start acquiring 2D seismic data in Nordland VII and Troms II outside of Lofoten and Vesteralen around June 25, 2007.

The seismic company Fugro-Geoteam AS will be carrying out the assignment on behalf of the authorities--and data acquisition will be concluded by 18 July--well before this year's second period of fishing for Greenland halibut commences in late July/early August.

Because it will not be possible to conduct all of the seismic acquisition planned for in 2007 during this period, the authorities will gather the remaining data in the autumn, following a clarification round with the fishery authorities and the fishermen's organizations regarding the timing of this.

When the Storting (Norwegian Parliament) adopted the management plan for the Barents Sea and the waters off Lofoten in the spring of 2006, it was decided at the same time that the NPD would acquire seismic data in the Nordland VII and Troms II areas. The purpose is to increase knowledge regarding potential petroleum deposits on the Norwegian part of the continental shelf. In the areas covered by the management plan it was also decided that knowledge regarding seabirds and the seabed should be improved. This will be accomplished by means of the Seapop program as regards seabirds, and by means of the Mareano program as regards the seabed. The information obtained from these three acquisition programs will help form the basis for the Storting's re-evaluation of the management plan in 2010.

In the fall of 2006, NOK 70 million was allocated to the NPD's seismic data acquisition. The NPD also expects that funds will be allocated for acquisition of seismic data in Nordland VII and Troms II in 2008 and 2009.


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