Oil and gas exploration, production and transportation will increase in the Barents Sea in the years to come. Authorities and industry, both in Russia and in Norway recognise the special challenges facing the industry in this area due to harsh weather and a special need to protect the environment.

(Photo: Scanpix)

A Russian – Norwegian cooperation project was therefore launched in early 2008, led by DNV, with the aim to recommend standards for safeguarding people, the environment and asset values, applicable in the Barents Sea, in both Russian and Norwegian waters.

The Norwegian Government through the Barents 2020 programme financed phase 1 and 2 of the project. The Russian and Norwegian project partners have agreed on seven topics for phase 3 throughout 2009. The work will be presented in a conference in Moscow in December, and the final report will be submitted to relevant national authorities and standardisation organisations for their consideration.