Store: Norway and Russia could be partners to advocate the role of gas
2010-02-05
Jonas Gahr Store interviewed Wednesday by Echo Moskvi (Echo of Moscow,
On ecology:
Store: Speaking on behalf of Norway, we have been trying to combine oil and gas development with very strict ecology regulations. And I think we proved it possible. Norway and Russia are working now on common standards for oil and gas development in the Barents Sea. There we should apply very strict regulations. Besides, we have an issue of climate change. That is why we have to also develop a new technology and to accept obligations in regards to new climate regime that would allow both developing
On competition between Russia and Norway in gas export:
Competition is a good thing. Russia is the prime provider of natural gas to Europe. Norway is second. And I think we can both be partners in advocating the role of gas, and then we could be normal competitors on the market. No cartel. This is not the right way of doing things. But you know, Norway and Russia are competitors on the market, and we cooperate on specific issues. So this is how I think the market should operate.
On competition and new technologies:
The US, for example. The companies will have to adapt to that. There are Norwegian companies also in the United States developing new sources and technologies. There is competition, yet there is also diversification.
On Shtokman:
I think this is a very promising possibility. Gazprom, Total, Statoil are working together on Shtokman. It will be the responsibility of these three companies to evaluate the prospects for technology, finance and market. If this project gets an advance, that will be a huge possibility for cooperation of those companies. This is namely for these companies to decide, not for the governments.
On Murmansk:
Murmansk is a very exciting region. This is in Norway’s and Russia’s neighbourhood. I was in Murmansk with minister Lavrov in October. And we could witness a number of Norwegian companies cooperating with Russians. We see the results of more than 20 years of peoples’ contacts. And this is to the benefit of both peoples. And as I have already said, Shtokman is important, but we cannot make our cooperation dependent on one project. So the fact that 20 Norwegian companies have established in Murmansk is not less important.
On investments:
I think this is a challenge for Russia. Several companies outside Russia are fearful of conditions to operate in Russia. I keep hearing from the companies that they need predictability and
Photo: Berit Roald, Scanpix/Statsministerens kontor
Source: www.barentsnova.com
