-The Norwegian government places great emphasis on capture and storage of CO2 as a measure to reach the targets set forNorwayin theKyotoProtocol. The goal is thatNorwayshall be in the forefront on carbon capture and development of environmentally friendly technologies. To achieve this we need a comprehensive commitment over several years. This includes areas such as research and development, CO2 capture at gas fired power plants and potential CO2 chains. The government proposes to allocate NOK 860.3 million to this work in 2007. The allocation demonstrates this government's commitment to the development of environmentally friendly gas technologies, says the Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Mr. Odd Roger Enoksen.

The government has ambitious goals for establishing so-called CO2-chains where CO2 is captured, transported to oil fields and used to increase oil recovery. Gassco, Petoro and Gassnova have on commission from the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy presented a report on potential CO ₂ chains. The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate is clarifying the time perspective and costs of establishing a carbon capture facility connected to the gas fired power plant which is under construction at Kårstø.

-The government will continue it's commitment to development of technologies for CO2 capture from gas fired power plants and environmentally friendly gas technologies through the Climit programme, says Minister Enoksen.