Regional and structural effects of North Sea oil in Norway

The discovery of oil in the North Sea has had an important impact on Norway. The article presents the development of the oil policy. Of particular interest is the heavy involvement in Norway in products as mobile rigs, supply ships and concrete platforms. The distribution of the oil activities in Norway as related to locational factors is discribed, with examples of the local impacts of oil activities. Of particular concern are the regional effects. Norway will be a high cost country and low-wage industries (e.g. textiles, furniture) may be squeezed. Industrial decay areas like in Britain and Europe are feared. Also some main problems and decisions such as the landing of Statfjord oil by pipeline are considered.The original version received valuable criticism from Prof. J. Chr. Hansen, Bergen, and Dr. W. Tietze, Wolfsburg, Germany. The author would be grateful for further comments from the readers.