Scalar politics and strategic consolidation: The Norwegian Gas Forum's quest for embedding Norwegian gas resources in domestic space

Abstract

Underthun, A., Kasa, S. & Reitan, M. 2011. Scalar politics and strategic consolidation: The Norwegian Gas Forum's quest for embedding Norwegian gas resources in domestic space. Norsk Geografisk Tidsskrift–Norwegian Journal of Geography Vol. 65, 226–237. ISSN 0029-1951.

The article discusses political initiatives and networks that aim to enhance the use of Norwegian natural gas resources in domestic space. Through perspectives on state rescaling and scalar politics, the authors explore the strategies of the Norwegian Gas Forum (NGF). This political network serves as an umbrella organization for regional political initiatives for local distribution and exploitation of natural gas along the Norwegian coast. It is argued that the initiatives demonstrate a scalar politics that counter tendencies of state rescaling in the realm of petroleum politics, where the state is less willing to invest and intervene in domestic natural gas utilization. The article examines the NGF's policy work, organizational composition, and ‘networks of association’ with other organizations. This is framed in the analysis as ‘scalar politics’ aiming to secure the member regions’ current and future dependence on domestic gas supplies. The important networks of association in relation to the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO) and the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO) implied compromise and consolidation among the regional members of NGF, but also empowered NGF on important policy issues.

Keywords:

• natural gas
• Norwegian Gas Forum
• political economy of scale
• scalar politics
• state rescaling

Acknowledgements

Thanks are due to Asbjørn Karlsen, Guest Editor Berit Kristoffersen, Editor-in-Chief Michael Jones, Copy Editor & Editorial Assistant Catriona Turner, and also two anonymous reviewers for useful comments. The article is part of the project Multi-level Governance and Regional Development: The Politics of Natural Gas and was financed by The Research Council of Norway's programme Democracy, Governance and Regionalism (DEMOSREG).

Notes

1. Note that there was a relatively sharp drop in this number in 2009 due to lower oil and gas prices following the financial crisis of 2008.

2. ‘Gass i Buss – Rapport’, unpublished report from the Norwegian Gas Forum (NGF), 2005.

3. Additional information in unpublished protocols from meetings in the Norwegian Gas Forum, 2004, and ‘Gassindustri kysten rundt’, unpublished letter from the NGF, LO, and NHO to the Norwegian Parliament and all political parties in Parliament, sent in 2004.

4. ‘Offensiv nasjonal CO2-strategi nå!’ Unpublished letter from the Norwegian Gas Forum to various state institutions, environmental NGOs, research institutions, and the committee for CO2 capture and storage, dated 9 September 2005.

5. For example, ‘Næringsutvikling basert på gass’. Unpublished letter from the Norwegian Gas Forum to the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy and The Ministry of Trade and Industry, dated 22 May 2000.

6. Additional information in ‘Gassmaks: Suggestion for a national R&D programme for value enhancement in the natural gas value chain’, unpublished document by the NHO, LO, and NGF, 2005.

7. Additional information in unpublished protocols from NGF meetings held in Langesund on 18 June 2004, Hammerfest on 1 September 2004, and Avaldsnes on 10 November 2004.

8. Additional information in ‘Gassindustri kysten rundt’. Unpublished letter from the NGF, LO, and NHO to the Norwegian Parliament and all political parties in Parliament, sent in 2004.