The max. extent of sea ice for this winter has been reached and are covering less area than ever before: http://www.arcticnow.com/science/2017/03/22/arctic-sea-ice-sets-new-low-maximum-record-for-the-third-year-in-a-row/
That open opportunities for exploration in areas never before accessible with present day technology. It also open possibilities for shipping, fishing and tourism in new areas, year around.
This does not separate between 1st year and multi-year ice extent though.
If there’s no sea ice, they don’t have any of the challenges related to loading operations in ice-covered waters in the Norwegian terminals. For sure, some of the bow-loading systems may be compatible with proper winterization, but the loading tower needs to be a special ice-resistant structure not unlike the FOIROT. Keep in mind that there’s no multi-year ice in Varandey or Novy Port either, but the moving ice pack is already challenging enough.
edit: Also, I had an issue with reactivating the old account so I decided to re-register instead.
From enthusiastic discovery in Russia to a confirmed development of Finnmark: http://sysla.no/offshore/titusener-av-nye-oljejobber/
How many of the jobs created during the construction phase will be in the north of Norway, or even in Norway at all is probably still a question mark, but 90-100 offshore jobs for the next 30 years is welcome in the region.
With the many that will work in the shorebased organization in Hammerfest and Harstad and the indirect jobs that will follow from that, this will be a major boost for the entire region.
If Statoil can make a profit from USD 30/Bbls. oil price, all those predicting the demise of Arctic drilling and production may have to have a rethink.
True, true, but then again a good bit of the Arctic is below the ice limit, and more will inevitably be so as global warming continue. The oil & gas industry is a long lead business.