The Norwegian Oil for Development initiative (OfD) aims at assisting developing countries in their efforts to manage petroleum resources in a way that generates economic growth, and promotes welfare of the whole population in an environmentally sustainable way.
Startup
The petroleum industry is vital for the development of the Sudanese economy. In 2006, Norway and Sudan embarked on a bilateral co-operation within the petroleum sector. This cooperation was further enhanced by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlining the details of this cooperation, signed by the Sudanese Minister of Energy and Mining, Al-Zubeir Ahmed Al-Hassan and the Norwegian Minister of International Development Erik Solheim in October 2008.
Through these agreements, Norway provides consultative services to both the Government of National Unity (GoNU) and the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS), in terms of capacity building and technical advice. Norwegian involvement within the petroleum sector in Sudan seeks to implement the principles outlined in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) from January 2005 with specific emphasis on the sharing of oil revenue.
The Norwegian Oil for Development (OfD) Initiative
Drawing on the long experience within the petroleum sector in Norway, the Norwegian Oil for Development initiative seeks to assist both countries rich in oil and gas in their endeavors to benefit from national petroleum resources. The aim is to ensure that such efforts generate economic growth and welfare to the population in general, and is environmentally sustainable. The initiative focuses on good governance, transparency and accountability.
Thematic areas
The support to Sudan, as well as to other countries involved in the OfD-programmes, is centered on three areas: resource management, revenue management and environmental management. Good governance within the petroleum sector is also central for the capacity building activities. The co-operation between Norway and Sudan includes both short-term assistance, in the form of seminars and educational training (capacity-building and advice), and long-term cooperation, in the form of policy advice and industrial development (capacity- and institutional support).
The embassy's Petroleum Envoy, Anders Hannevik, on a field trip into Sudan's oil-rich areas.
As one of the signatories to the CPA Norway is committed to assist Sudan with the implementation of the peace agreement in general and through the MoU to assist Sudan within the petroleum sector specifically. Norway is today cooperating closely with GoNU’s Ministry of Energy and Mining and Ministry of Finance and with GoSS’s Ministry of Energy and Mining and Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, with regards to capacity-building and technical advice.
Norway seeks to contribute to a climate of trust and transparency within the petroleum sector. Hopefully, such endeavors will contribute positively with regards to a successful development of the petroleum sector and contribute to implementation of the CPA.