Poll: Arctic Will Reverse Norwegian Oil Production Decline. A poll conducted at the Offshore Northern Seas (ONS) conference in Stavanger has revealed that industry professionals see Arctic exploration as a viable solution to Norway's declining oil production rates. 74% of participants said that the development of sizeable reserves in Arctic waters offshore Norway could reverse the country's diminishing North Sea production rates by 2030. By contrast, only 26% of participants felt Norway would not be able to abate the decline through Arctic exploration. The Industry Snapshot Poll was conducted on the first day of ONS by global independent technical advisor, GL Noble Denton. Senior professionals from across the industry also took part in the poll online. Norway's Oil Ministry announced in June that the country plans to dramatically increase activity within its Arctic waters. Its licensing round for frontier areas will include 86 blocks, of which 72 are in the Arctic Barents Sea and just 14 are in the Norwegian Sea. A separate licensing round for mature areas will include 48 blocks or partial blocks, with 33 in the Barents Sea, 12 in the Norwegian Sea and just two in the North Sea. This represents a major shift for the sector as in last year's round only four licenses were issued for the Arctic Barents Sea but 34 in the North Sea. MarineLink 

Netherlands: Arctic Energy Rules Needed: New international rules are needed to protect the Arctic environment as it is targeted for more energy exploration, the Netherlands said this week. New international rules are needed to protect the arctic environment as it is targeted for more energy exploration, the Netherlands said this week. Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation Maxime Verhagen told an international energy conference in Norway Monday the huge oil and gas reserves of the arctic hold much potential for supplying the world's growing energy needs. But, he warned, the effect on the region's vulnerable environment of exploiting those resources is "difficult to predict at this time," and therefore, "binding international rules to prevent environmental damage" are needed. UPI 

Arctic Risk Management Study Released by DNV & FNI: A new study about crucial risk management issues relating to Arctic operations is released by DNV and the Fridtjof Nansen Institute (FNI). The study concludes that, in order to safely develop Arctic resources, there is a need for improved technology, oil spill preparedness and close cooperation between the authorities, industry and society. DNV's CEO, Dr Henrik O. Madsen, presented the study entitled 'Energy and the environment - Arctic resource development, risks and responsible management' at the Offshore Northern Seas (ONS) Conference in Stavanger.

 Some of the study's conclusions:

Sen. Begich to Introduce Legislation Creating Arctic Port Authority. The state of Alaska is working with the US Army Corps of Engineers to locate a site for a deep water port. Alaska Senator Mark Begich says he plans to introduce legislation creating an Arctic Port Authority to facilitate Alaska's future international shipping needs. Begich made the announcement over the weekend at Arctic Imperative Summit. Senator Mark Begich is a strong supporter of greater icebreaking capacity in Alaska's Arctic waters. Begich's remarks during his talk at the Arctic Imperative Summit pointed to the cooperation of Nome area Sitnasuak Native Corporation and Vitus Marine in bringing life- giving fuel to Nome last winter. Alaska Public Radio 

Arctic Sea Ice Just Hit a Record Low. Here's Why It Matters. The Arctic Ocean's vast, frozen expanse of ice is rapidly vanishing. On Monday, scientists at the National Snow and Ice Data Center announced that the extent of sea ice in the Arctic had reached its lowest level since satellite measurements began, breaking the previous record in 2007. That's particularly striking because the summer melting season still has about two more weeks to go. It's clear that Arctic sea ice is now shriveling more quickly each year. And scientists say the melt has been driven by both global warming and other pollutants that humans have put into the atmosphere. So why does the disappearing sea ice actually matter? Partly it's a sign of how quickly we're heating the planet. Yet the vanishing sea ice can also have its own side effects, from warming up the Arctic further to unlocking once-frozen areas of the north for oil and gas exploration. Below is a rundown of what we know about Arctic sea ice and why it's worth watching. Washington Post