Swedish Government Stops Oil Exploration in the Baltic Sea

[Breerman]

The great do gooder government at work again... Now they have denied oil exploration in the Swedish Economic Zone.

The sea bed south of Gotland is estimated to hold several hundred million barrels of oil, capable of providing 20% of Sweden's needs for 20 years. From a drilling perspective the shallow waters are said to be optimal.




http://di.se/Nyheter/?page=%2fAvdelningar%2fArtikel.aspx%3fo%3dexpressen%26stat%3d0%26ArticleID%3d2009\06\04\340232%26SectionId%3dDinapengar%26menusection%3dDinapengar%3bDinapengarNyheter

[PVJ]

Dosent Sweden have some national strategy to be completly free of fossil fuels by 2020?

[kosse]

Dosent Sweden have some national strategy to be completly free of fossil fuels by 2020?
They also had a national strategy of being nuclear free by 2010. Talk about a pipe dream :lol:

[Breerman]

Dosent Sweden have some national strategy to be completly free of fossil fuels by 2020?
I think its phrased like free of oil dependence by 2020, something like that no vehicle should run on only fossile fuels by then, and to completely phase out oil in most other areas. Its a good strategic initiative but to think one thing rules out another is pure stupidity. They could even use the oil revenues to achieve that goal. Instead we will keep importing oil for a forseeable future.

Not to mention that they are taking this decision during the deepest world recession since 1930!

[Evolv5]

Isn't the area around Gotland protected though.
I think I read somewhere that Gotland is one of the few islands to be completely made of Limestone (think that was it) from the calcium of old dead cray fish ... or something, I could be wrong.

[Breerman]

Permits are on a case by case basis to my knowledge. But this field is located far out close to the Lithuanian zone.

[BMUS]

I actually kinda support this decision. The baltic sea is a very delicate biotope and Sweden should try to get of the oilpipe as much as it can so I don't think the cons are being outwheighted by the pros.

But "our" decision regarding nuclear power is just plain stupid.

[Breerman]

I actually kinda support this decision. The baltic sea is a very delicate biotope and Sweden should try to get of the oilpipe as much as it can so I don't think the cons are being outwheighted by the pros.
I cant believe anyone would think one excludes the other. Have you ever been to Norway?

Close to no environmental risk. Stop the old oil tankers traffic in that case, they are a real problem.


But "our" decision regarding nuclear power is just plain stupid.
I think they have partly changed that now to at least replace existing reactors.

[BMUS]

I cant believe anyone would think one excludes the other. Have you ever been to Norway?

Close to no environmental risk. Stop the old oil tankers traffic in that case, they are a real problem.
No, but I don't see the point of risking our part of the baltic sea for a couple of dollars more when we get extreamly cheap oil from Norway allready.
Then I would rather prefer us to open up for uranium prospect.

Rusty oiltankers from Russia or the Baltic countriues is nothing we can do about, not drill for oil is somthing we can.

I think they have partly changed that now to at least replace existing reactors.
I think the old legislation is about to be teared up, I would actually like to see an new reactor being built.

[Breerman]

No, but I don't see the point of risking our part of the baltic sea for a couple of dollars more when we get extreamly cheap oil from Norway allready.
What. You think Norway gives us an oil discount? :) They sell to market price like everybody else, and I dont think we for that part even import their oil. Most of our oil comes from the Mideast.


Then I would rather prefer us to open up for uranium prospect.
Im surprised to hear that because thats a real environmental risk. Oil exploration in shallow waters have close to no risk but with a huge reward (its not "a couple of dollars").


Rusty oiltankers from Russia or the Baltic countriues is nothing we can do about, not drill for oil is somthing we can.
Of course we can do something about it. We could even use the oil money to provide safe oil tankers. ;)

[Moose]

Knowin the sweeds they are probably saving that oil for when its realy needed? And then the government will start drilling it.

[Breerman]

Knowin the sweeds they are probably saving that oil for when its realy needed? And then the government will start drilling it.
Dont think so but sure the oil isnt going anywhere.

I came to think that there might be another undeclared reason. But Im not going to say.

[Loki77]

Good to Sweden!

Check the name that guy, boo!