Oslo Trial Will Rule on Barents Awards (Update on Likely Verdict Date)

Norway's petroleum ministry noted November 13 that a trial will take place at Oslo District Court November 14 about the validity of the June 10 2016 decision on Norway's 23rd licensing round awards.

Two non-government associations, Greenpeace Nordic Association, and Natur og Ungdom (Nature and Youth) are suing Norway's petroleum ministry.

Plaintiffs claim that the decision is invalid because it contravenes section 112 of Norway's constitution. The state's view is that the decision on the 23rd licensing round is valid and that the decision was made following extensive professional, administrative and political processes, which are in line with the requirements of the constitution and other legislation.

The 23rd licensing round awarded ten new production licences, all in the Barents Sea offshore the far north of Norway which environmentalists and fishing folk argue are too sensitive for petroleum exploration. Greenpeace also argues that new Arctic licences should not be issued, as the world already has more oil and gas reserves than it can safely consume, if keeping to UN climate action targets.

Update November 14: Greenpeace Nordic tells NGW that the Oslo hearing will continue until November 23, after which it is expected that it will take a further four to 12 weeks before a verdict in that case is given.

Mark Smedley