Is Statoil leading the way for other Norwegian oil and gas companies to enter the Russian market?
They are doing a lot in the northwest part of Russia, in Arkhangelsk and in Murmansk, where they took part in the Shtokman development, and where the regional suppliers organisation was created. With the assistance of this organisation, they are collecting the best prospective suppliers for the oil and gas sector. They moved ahead in a very good manner. Last year a quadrilateral agreement was signed with the University of Murmansk, the University of Arkhangelsk, the University of St Petersburg and Statoil as the fourth party. This agreement is about preparation of specialists for the oil and gas industry, on the basis of Norwegian standards and in collaboration with Russian standards, focusing on their innovation technique, and modern technology. What are the main challenges and opportunities for Norwegian companies looking to come into these developments? What stands in their way? The Russian situation is changing in my opinion, and in a positive direction. Although there are those wh
