- The Government has ambitious goals regarding capture, use and storage of carbon dioxide and our timetable is demanding. Achievement of our goals will require thorough efforts and several years of extensive work, and I will make sure that this work starts immediately in order to meet the Government's plan of progress. NOK 20 million is proposed allocated to this work, says Mr. Odd Roger Enoksen, Minister of Petroleum and Energy.

In addition, the Government contributes substantially to the development of technology for capture of carbon dioxide through Gassnova*, as well as on R&D through the Norwegian Research Council.

To ensure a sound economic and legal framework of the state's involvement in the area of carbon capture, use and storage, work will be carried out in the following areas:

• The conduction of further planning of capture of carbon dioxide at the Kårstø gas fired power plant will be highly prioritized in 2006. This work will provide clarifications on costs and timetables for this project.
• The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy will ensure that a proper process is initiated between the commercial actors in the various parts of the chain – capture, transport and use or storage of carbon dioxide.
• Decisions on the best organisation of state involvement in the area of carbon capture, use and storage, will depend on thorough assessments of e.g. economic and legal issues. Clarifications of these aspects will be important in 2006.

*Gassnova is the Norwegian state centre for sustainable gas technologies.