NA - A Pan Arctic Network of Experts on Environmental Issues associated with petroleum development in the Arctic

Off-shore oil exploration and production is moving towards Arctic regions, where knowledge about the environmental impact of such activities is limited. As a result, petroleum operations in the Barents Sea area, have strict environmental regulations, i.e. a zero discharge framework. Most operational discharges are prohibited and potential environmental impacts are related to accidents. To plan for, and develop appropriate response procedures for these events, the biological effects, both direct and indire ct, must be known and understood. Akvaplan-niva's section on environment and petroleum research focuses on these issues with funded NFR research grants and projects financed directly by industry partners. Considering the pan-arctic oil and gas activities development, this current proposal to the Bilateral Research Cooperation Programme (BILAT) is aimed at broadening already established collaborations with USA and Russian institutes to include Canada (COOGER) in the development of a Pan-Arctic Network of E xperts on Environmental Issues associated with petroleum development in the Arctic (PANEP). The network merges expertise from the circumpolar nations on long term impacts of oil contamination on the Arctic marine ecosystem. This network will achieve a str onger knowledge base on the potential impacts of O&G activities on the marine Arctic ecosystem and better coordinate actions to minimize impacts to the marine environment, the economy and the lifestyle and well-being of the people who are dependent on mar ine resources.