Oil firms embark on Barents exploration

Norwegian authorities expect oil and gas companies to drill a record 15 exploration wells in the Barents Sea this year

Number of exploration wells

15 (April forecast)

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16

2010 2015 2017

Oil and gas finds 

Barents Sea couldaccount for almost 65 percent of Norway’sun discovered resources

Gulf Stream: Ocean current responsible for area remaining largely ice-free, unlike other parts of Arctic such as
Alaska and Greenland

Arctic Circle

100km 60 miles

Filicudi

Alta-Gohta

Snohvit

Goliat

Hammerfest

NORWAY

SWEDEN

FINLAND

Songa Enabler: Norwegian firm Statoil plans to use mobile rig to drill five wells

Wisting

Johan Castberg

Tornerose

BARENTS SEA

RUSSIA

Sources: Bloomberg, Norwegian Institute of Marine 

Research Picture: Twitter