ABSTRACT
Norway's relationship with the International Energy Agency will continue to be characterized by a certain amount of stress. The question of drilling off north Norway raises issues similar to those in the North Sea but at a time when the Norwegian public is more aware of what is involved. The market price is determined essentially by Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) at the present time, and there is really little that Norway can do about this but hope that OPEC holds together. As one reviews the way in which Norway has gone about the actual development of its oil, it is not easy for the layman to find major things to criticize. The area where oil will confront Norway with its greatest challenge is in the Barents Sea. Since Norway and the United Kingdom are the most involved, it is inevitable that most officials will prefer bilateral to multilateral consultations.
