A SEA OF POSSIBILITIES
Norway currently is the third largest petroleum exporter of the world and the 7th largest oil producer.
Its export value corresponds to 21% of the country’s GNP. 
Norway’s resources are estimated to amount to about 5% of the fossile resources of Russia in the Barents Region.  In North Norway today about 3% of the work force is occupied in the petroleum industry.
The Barents Sea has been opened up as a frontier exploration province. The Ministry
of  Petroleum and Energy has the overall responsibility for the petroleum activity on the Norwegian continental shelf. Its task is to ensure that this is implemented in accordance with guidelines approved by the Norwegian Parliament, which form the basis for the regulations controlling petroleum activity in Norway.

The knowledge (technology) milieus in Tromsø are challenged at various level by this new situation. The Research Council of Norway’s extensive initiatives in the High North is an answer to the challenges.  A new agreement between the universities and the research milieus at Tromsø and Stavanger, the Norwegian oil capital, is innovatory in such an arctic perspective.