The Report to the Storting (Parliament) is focusing on important elements of the petroleum policy. The Government is proposing measures that are suitable given the changes taking place on the Norwegian Continental Shelf as well as in the international oil and gas markets.

In the report focus is on measures that are aimed at increasing the competitiveness of the Norwegian Continental Shelf, like allowing new participants on the Continental Shelf. The regulations will be eased, the handling process for development projects will be made more efficient, and the tempo of new awards for production licenses in the Norwegian Sea and the North Sea is determined.

-The measures are aimed at increasing the competitiveness of the Norwegian Continental Shelf so that the oil companies still find it attractive to develop new fields in Norway. This will secure increased value added in the industry and income to the community. With this report to the Storting we are giving conditions to the industry that will contribute to meet the most important challenges in the industry, says Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Mr. Olav Akselsen.

Important elements in the report are internationalisation of the industry, changes in the oil and gas markets and environmental questions. In a separate chapter health, environment and safety in the oil and gas industry are discussed.

-The main message in the report is that this is an industry that we will continue to invest in and that has a future. The government will contribute to develop the competence that has been developed in the Norwegian oil milieu, and secure activity and employment in the industry, says Minister Akselsen.

The government will have concession rounds every other year in the Norwegian Sea. The oil companies will every year be invited to suggest areas in the North Sea suitable for award. The documentation for applications shall be simplified. The government will suggest that the Storting will give the King the right to accept development projects of up to 10 bill NOK.

The ministry will look in to how a better balance in the operative milieus can be achieved trough concessions, so that more competent companies will have better possibilities to develop its operative organisations in Norway. The government is generally positive to participation from smaller companies, down-stream companies and companies from the offshore industry.