ABSTRACT
The Norwegian oil adventure had been under way for over a decade before the question of how fast Norway's oil resources should be developed became a public issue. As a result, the basic decisions that determined the pace had been made by a succession of governments before the public became really aware that there was anything to be decided. The question of drilling for oil off north Norway has become one of the main issues related to Norwegian oil policy. This criticism raised blood pressures among officials in Norway, particularly the "beggar thy neighbor" reference. As a result, Industry Minister Gjerde remonstrated with the secretary-general of Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development when the latter visited Norway. In the 1978-1981 long-term programs, the government estimated that production at Ekofisk, Frigg, and Statfjord would approach 70 million tons in 1986, and then steadily decline.
