Ártico amenazado

The international conservation organisation has accused the Norwegian government of endangering a rare area of the Arctic sea by contemplating oil exploration there. The organisation said such activity could be disastrous for a fragile marine environment.

This report from Lars Bevangar:

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.

the third largest oil exporter after
el tercer mayor exportador después

oil exploration
Exploración sobre la existencia de petróleo

drilling for oil
perforación del suelo en busca de petróleo

considerable fish stocks
grandes cantidades de peces

conservation
conservación, protección

go against the advices
en contra de las recomendaciones

refuted these claims
rechazó estas afirmaciones

in the consultative process
en proceso de consulta

expressed a keen interest in
manifestaron gran interés