06-12-07

The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has been visited by geologists from the US Geological Survey (USGS) for the purpose of discussing methods to calculate petroleum resources in the Arctic Zone.
The NPD has been in close contact with the USGS for many years concerning the best methodology for estimating yet undiscovered resources.

Geologists from the USGS paid a visit to the NPD geologists in order to discuss the USGS study of Arctic petroleum resources (Circum-Arctic Resource Appraisal -- CARA). The study means that the undiscovered resources will be estimated in the same way across the entire Arctic Zone.
"As regards this study, the NPD acts as a sounding board and discussion partner, bringing our knowledge to the table. We will not be doing any calculations, but the USGS relies on data and needs to communicate with people and organizations that are knowledgeable about the undiscovered resources in the Arctic. The NPD is assisting with its expertise on undiscovered resources in the Barents Sea and the Norwegian Sea," explains Per Blystad, an NPD geologist.

The USGS is working with geologists from many countries in this project, e.g. Denmark and Greenland's Geological Survey (GEUS) and the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC).
"We are grateful and pleased for the exchange of data, and for having the opportunity of working with expertise at the high level that we find in the NPD," says Don Gautier, leader of CARA at the USGS.

Source: www.rigzone.com / Norwegian Petroleum Directorate