The fact line boats no longer are finding cod has led to speculation and accusations the seismic oil surveys caused the cod to flee the area.
Nevertheless, the exploration is not likely to stop any time soon, with many more projects in the pipeline.
For example, the oil companies wish to investigate what they believe to be are promising oil and gas fields along the length of the northern Norwegian coastline, as well as extensive areas of the Barents Sea.
In northern Russia, plans are being drawn up for the development of the largest offshore gas field in the world, the Sthokman field.
This,
