MP urges evidence-based debate on Dreki oil prospects

Eydís Ásbjörnsdóttir, a Social Democratic Alliance MP, has urged caution over oil and gas prospects in the Dreki area, an offshore area northeast of Iceland. Her remarks followed an assessment finding little chance of hydrocarbons in extractable quantities, mbl.is reported.

The Environment and Energy Agency reached its conclusion after reviewing decades of research. Based on current knowledge, it said there was no basis to invite applications for new licences to explore for or produce oil and gas in the area.

Speaking in parliament, Ásbjörnsdóttir criticised what she described as political claims about the potential gains, including talk of substantial tax revenues for each Icelander and arguments that Iceland should not share oil profits with European countries.

She said the agency’s findings did not rule out further research or discussion, but showed why debate should be based on evidence and facts. “We should examine the opportunities, but we should also proceed properly, because, as they say, not all that glitters is gold,” she said.