There is an increasing recognition of the potential of the arctic areas as a petroleum province and the importance of sustainable petroleum activity. The Norwegian Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Thorhild Widvey, has taken the initiative to discuss this on a round-table conference for national and international decision makers at Grenselandsmuseet in Kirkenes 7 July this year.

Widvey has among others invited EU's Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs, the US' Under Energy Secretary David Garman, Russian leaders on ministerial level, together with top executives from Norwegian and international oil companies.

The press is invited to attend the opening of the conference Thursday 7 July at 09.00 at Grenselandsmuseet. In addition the press will have the opportunity to meet the participants during the breaks. The Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Thorhild Widvey, also invites to a press conference after the conference, 16.30 at the same place.

On Friday 8 July at 09.15 the Ministers will visit the Snøhvit facilities on Melkøya in Hammerfest. Statoil will give a briefing on the Barents Sea and Snøhvit followed by a guided tour on the Melkøya plant. The press is welcome to attend the guided tour.

Further details about the conference and the visit on the Snøhvit facilities at Melkøya in Hammerfest will follow from a press release from the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy later this week.

It is necessary for all journalists and photographers to sign up in advance. Please forward an e-mail to Trude Larstad at tl@oed.dep.no or call 22 24 61 76 within 14.00 Friday 1 July for registration.