ABSTRACT
Petroleum activities at the present level are important for Norway and should be used to make Norway a better community. The government’s long-term goal is to maintain a moderate level of activity (9×107 tonnes oil equivalent-t.o.e.). Production in the 1980s will be 5.0-6.5×107 t.o.e. Development of all recent finds on the Norwegian continental shelf could produce more than 9.0×107 t.o.e., so it must be decided which fields are best developed. To ensure petroleum activities also benefit onshore regions Norwegian policy is to land all petroleum in Norway. Establishment of the petrochemical complex in Bamble, Telemark, and landing Statfjord gas reflect this policy. The government’s concession policy, including allocation of blocks north of 62ºN and in the North Sea, is briefly described stressing the importance of a stable level of exploration.
