Norwegian-Russian Cooperation on Environmental Control of Operations in the Barents Sea

Protection of the marine environment is the most prioritised field of co-operation under the Joint Norwegian-Russian Commission on  Environmental Protection. The Barents Sea is a continuous ecosystem, and a close co-operation with Russia is decisive to protect the clean and rich environment.

Norway and Russia will cooperate to protect the fragile ecology in the Barents Sea, as here at Bear Island. Photo: Hallvard Strøm, Norsk Polarinstitutt.

Environmental control of various economic activities in the Barents Sea plays an important part in the work under the Joint Norwegian- Russian Working Group on Marine Protection. Petroleum operations are of special interest. As part of this governmental collaboration Norwegian and Russian experts meet in Kaliningrad 10 - 12 October, in order to compare environmental standards and regulations for the petroleum sector. The meeting closes with an inspection on a Russian oil platform.

Reloading of oil from ship to ship is another important concern. A Norwegian- Russian seminar in Murmansk 23 - 24 October will illuminate this issue with exchange of experiences and practices in this field.