Norway--the dilemma of a small country torn between national and international energy interests

Conference · Tue Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5499898

Fronges, G

The objective of this paper is to show how petroleum discoveries and an increasingly important continental shelf may conceivably influence the standing of a small nation in the international community. In 1968 oil was discovered in the Norwegian part of the North Sea, and since then oil and gas fields have been developed and petroleum reserves gradually built up. Today, Norway produces petroleum from the North Sea at a rate seven times her own consumption. The introduction of economic zones in the seventies, giving coastal states exclusive economic rights in an area extending 200 nautical miles off their shores, has further enhanced the resources potentially available to Norway. Depending on developments in the international energy markets, she may now become an important supplier of energy, especially of natural gas to Western Europe. Considering the foreign policy and military dimensions of energy security, Norway may, more or less against her will, find herself at the focus of critical energy issues. The situation is not made easier by the fact that the maritime areas under Norwegian jurisdiction seem to become increasingly important from a military point of view. The stronger this international dimension becomes, the more difficult it will be for Norway to have an influence on developments and defend her interests. Norway may have to take a stand on controversial issues which most small countries can keep at a comfortable distance.

• Research Organization: Christiania Bank
• OSTI ID: 5499898
• Report Number(s): CONF-830386-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States) Journal Volume: SPE 11313
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
020700 -- Petroleum-- Economics
Industrial
& Business Aspects
ATLANTIC OCEAN
CONTINENTAL MARGIN
CONTINENTAL SHELF
ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
ENERGY SOURCES
EUROPE
FOREIGN POLICY
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GLOBAL ASPECTS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INDUSTRY
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
MINERAL RESOURCES
NORTH SEA
NORWAY
PETROLEUM
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
PETROLEUM INDUSTRY
POLITICAL ASPECTS
PRODUCTION
RESERVES
RESOURCE POTENTIAL
RESOURCES
SCANDINAVIA
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
WESTERN EUROPE