News Stories - Arctic threat
 
Norway's oil production is vast, making the country the third largest oil exporter after Saudi Arabia and Russia. New areas for oil exploration are under constant consideration to keep production on a high level. Now the government here is contemplating drilling for oil in the Arctic Barents Sea, near the picturesque Lofoten islands. The area is home to considerable fish stocks and the world's largest cold water coral reef.

Now WWF, the international conservation organisation, has accused the Norwegian government of planning to go against the advice of its own scientists, many of whom have warned of serious dangers connected to oil exploration in the Arctic.

A government spokesperson here refuted these claims, saying no decision had yet been taken and that the government was still in the consultative process on the matter. The government has said it will decide on possible oil exploration in the area in early December. Both the Norwegian and international oil companies have expressed a keen interest in drilling for oil in the Barents Sea.

 
- vocabulary:
third largest (oil exporter) after: two other countries export more oil than Norway
oil exploration: here, going to a place to find if there is oil
drilling for oil: searching for oil by drilling deep holes in places in the sea bed where it is likely that oil will be found

considerable fish stocks: a large supply of fish that can be caught

conservation: preservation and protection of the environment

go against the advice: if you go against someone's advice, you do something different from what they want you to do


refuted these claims: if you refute a claim you prove that it is false or wrong
in the consultative process: still seeking advice



expressed a keen interest in: said that they would like to
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