News08.09.2009 15:43
Misconceptions and myths about weather conditions in the north
A number of erroneous claims are being made in the debate surrounding Norwegian oil spill preparedness, most recently by Ingeborg Gjærum from the environmentalist group Nature and Youth and Kristin Halvorsen of the Socialist Left party (SV). Among other things, they claim that high waves in the Barents Sea and Lofoten/Vesterålen make oil activities irresponsible. "That is wrong. Data from the Norwegian Meteorological Institute shows that there are higher waves on the Statfjord field in the North Sea than in the Barents Sea or outside Lofoten/Vesterålen," says managing director Sjur Knudsen in NOFO – the Norwegian Clean Seas Association for Operating Companies.
"The North Sea has tough weather conditions, but we have conducted responsible oil and gas activities here for 40 years. Many people like to think that the weather in the Barents Sea is particularly rough, but that is simply not the case," says Knudsen.
More daylight in the north
Data from the Meteorological Institute also shows that there is more daylight on average in the north than in the south.
"And when it is dark, we have equipment that enables us to find and recover the oil, including infrared cameras and oil-detecting radars on vessels and in aircraft, as well as satellites. This technology has been tested and functions very well," says Knudsen.
Icing is the difference
Icing caused by sea spray can lead to the build-up of ice on vessels and resulting ice cover on equipment on deck. In the part of the Barents Sea that has been opened for petroleum activity, this type of icing is a phenomenon that mainly occurs in areas near the coast, during periods of strong, low-temperature winds from the south and southeast. Such situations often occur in late winter, and usually last just a few days. This type of icing does not lead to any special limitations for oil spill operations other than what is normally the case for other emergency preparedness regions on the Norwegian Shelf.
"We take the icing issue very seriously. Vessels that function in permanent emergency preparedness duty and that have oil spill recovery equipment on board will ensure that better protection is provided for the equipment while it is on deck. For the time being, NOFO has developed special tarpaulins which, together with hot air, will keep the equipment free of ice on board," says Knudsen.
A factual debate
"Discussion and debate surrounding important issues is positive, but it is also important that the debate takes place on an objective and factual basis. Unfortunately, this is not the case when the weather conditions in the north are presented in this manner," says Knudsen.
For more information:
Sjur Knudsen, tel. +47 51 84 65 72, mobile +47 908 22 313
Tom Gederø, tel. +47 51 84 65 30, mobile +47 922 47 082
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