The Barents Sea
Det norske seeks to open up larger areas in the Barents Sea for petroleum activities. This is important with regard to maintaining a stable oil production in Norway. The Barents Sea is a large ocean located on the Continental Shelf, with rich natural resources.  All future activities in the Barents Sea will be carried out in accordance with stringent environmental and emergency preparedness requirements.

Det norske will ensure good communication with fishers and other interested parties in the area by means of dialogue and information about planned activities. On the basis of our experience from the North Sea and the Norwegian Sea, Det norske will ensure that our activities in the Barents Sea are conducted in a safe and environmentally sound manner.

The Barents Sea is an ocean located on a shallow continental shelf, with depths ranging mainly from 200 to 400 meters. This is one of the most productive maritime zones in the world.  Wind and wave conditions are comparable to other parts of the Norwegian Continental Shelf, but phenomena such as polar depressions and arctic fronts may have considerable local impact and cause extreme weather.

There are several large stocks of fish in the Barents Sea that use the area for spawning, growing up, and food seeking. The most important commercial fish species are cod, capelin, and herring. These constitute key species in the ecosystem. The fishing for these species is an important activity, both locally as well as nationally.

The requirements pertaining to petroleum activities in the Barents Sea and the maritime zones off Lofoten described in Report No. 38 to the Storting (2003 -2004). The Government has placed severe restrictions on the activities as compared to requirements applicable to other parts of the Continental Shelf. Petroleum activities in the area shall inflict no damage on vulnerable flora and fauna. Areas that may be affected are required to be subjected to mapping prior to commencement of activities. If the licensee fails to demonstrate that the activities will meet the requirements, there will be no all-year-round petroleum activity on the field in question within the limits of the Barents Sea and the maritime zones off Lofoten.

The seabed is characterized by soft bottom substrate, mostly mud and sand. Occurrences of sponges and other valuable seabed communities have been registered across large parts of the Barents Sea. To avoid damage to such seabed communities mapping  is conducted prior to commencement of drilling activities. During drilling operations, impact is reduced by means of the choice of drill site and drilling mud, and by avoiding discharging cuttings to sea.

During the summer-spring breeding season, the southern parts of the Barents Sea is inhabited by several million seabirds. These may be vulnerable to oil spills.

With regard to petroleum activities in the Barents Sea, considerable efforts are being invested in reducing the risk for acute oil spills. For the rigs qualified for operation in the Barents Sea, several measures are implemented on board the rigs to prevent and reduce the impact of possible spills. In addition, a comprehensive oil-spill contingency system will be established.  Very stringent emergency preparedness requirements are set particularly for activities in the area located close to the coast (up to 50-65 km from the coast).

The Barents Sea is also an important area for seals and whales. The seal species are mostly associated with the ice and the ice edge, but there have been cases of seal invasions to the coast of Finnmark and Troms during periods when food is scarce. The polar bear is also an important species, but the risk of negative impact from petroleum activities in the southern Barents Sea on the polar bear is minimal.

Seismic activity may have a negative impact on fish and sea mammals. The scope of potential negative impact is relatively limited, however, but such activities are avoided during periods with large concentrations of egg/larvae and extensive fisheries. The major fisheries in the Barents Sea are largely seasonal, but more or less all parts of the southern Barents Sea are important for fisheries during the entire or parts of the year. Consequently, prior to implementing petroleum activities, it is important to establish good communication lines with fishers and their organizations. Experience from other areas of the shelf indicates  that it is definitely possible to achieve harmonious co-existence between petroleum activities and fisheries.

Click here for additional information about the framework conditions for petroleum activities in the Barents Sea in Report No. 8 to the Storting concerning "Integrated Management of the Marine Environment of the Barents Sea and the Sea Areas off the Lofoten Islands".