Norwegian environment chiefs have warned the country against opening up too many potential oil and gas sites in Arctic waters.
The Norwegian Environment Agency said it wants more than a dozen blocks withdrawn from the current licencing round while more analysis of the arctic ice is carried out.
The group, which advises the country’s government on green issues, said changes to the amount of ice in the region, warned that it was necessary to look at the possible impact of the ice cap expanding.
“It is necessary to have a thorough scientific process to set a limit to the ice edge, which also covers the more extreme years,” said the group’s director Ellen Hambro.
“The northernmost blocks nominated in the southern Barents Sea … are located in areas where there may be ice. Before such a limit is set, no blocks further north in the Barents Sea south should be awarded.”
The latest licencing round will open up 61 blocks for oil exploration and production across the Norwegian continental shelf – with 54 of those sitting in the Barents Sea.
Environmental sensitivities around Arctic waters are high, with several species living in the region on Norway’s protected species list.
But large, unexploited oil and gas potential for the region has seen more firms eyeing the prospects there with interest.
Hambro warned that, without proper analysis of the changing polar conditions, the risks of a major oil spill on the region were not fully known.
“Climatic factors, long distances and low infrastructure, can an action against an oil spill extremely difficult and give little or no reduction of potential environmental impacts,” she said.
“It must be ensured that sufficient and appropriate emergency equipment is available before drilling commences.”
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