When Municipalities Met Goliat on the Coast of Finnmark: Collaborative Dynamics Between Local Authorities and an International Oil and Gas Company

Abstract

A meeting between a multinational oil and gas company and small municipal organisations appears an uneven match. The company has years of experience entering new localities, from all over the world, whereas for the local authorities this will most often be a once in a lifetime experience. Norwegian municipalities traditionally have a central position in local development. Collaboration is a crucial asset, and the question is to what degree this experience works in a new setting. How do the local authorities act in ensuring that the area benefits from development, and how does the company respond to this? What collaborative arenas are established and how do they work? What means are used to encourage collaboration, and what actions do they activate? In what way is power and trust employed in collaboration? The analysis in this chapter is based on a four year research project examining the interaction between four municipalities and a multinational resource company during the development of the Goliat off-shore oil-field near the western part of Finnmark in Northern Norway. The study reveals a process where both parties make use of power, and where trust is developed. This is also described as a process of mutual learning. The data contains repeated interviews with key actors, observations of meetings and mapping of outcomes.