Norway’s government has reaffirmed a ban on oil and gas exploration off scenic Arctic islands.
The move appears to reject suggestions it might open the area to drilling in the run-up to elections in 2017.
According to reports, the Oil and Energy Ministry has said it sent letters to oil companies dismissing what it called speculation that areas including Lofoten and Vesteraalen islands would be opened to oil and gas exploration in a new licensing round.
It reaffirmed a statement which said it was asking companies to nominate blocks for exploration in areas which are already “open” to oil and gas drilling on the Norwegian shelf.
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