Norway’s prime minister has defended the country’s oil minister after he admitted to a mix-up in the latest licensing round, a Norwegian media report said.
Oil Minister Tord Lien apologised after two blocks that had previously been off-limits were erroneously included in the 24th round, according to VG, a Norwegian daily.
He said the Nordland 6 and More areas off the Lofoten Islands should not have been on the list of blocks which were open to applications.
The Energy Ministry has issued an updated map which scrubs out the two assets, which are subject to environmental concerns.
“That which has happened recently can be attributed to incorrect consideration and not bad intentions. I apologise for that,” Lien said in an email to VG.
Industry observers have said the inclusion of the blocks could have been a ploy to gauge interest in the assets, the report said.
But Prime Minister Erna Solberg stuck up for Mr Lien in an email to VG, saying: “I have a good and trustworthy relationship to Tord. A mistake was made and he has quickly corrected it. I have complete trust in Lien.”