[en] The petroleum industry in Norway is a high-tech locomotive with spin-offs and ripple effects that affect the entire nation. The oil and gas industry is the country's largest source of income. Thanks to its oil and natural gas, Norway has become a rich country, both in terms of money and knowledge. Oil production on the Norwegian Shelf peaked in the summer of 2000 and is now declining. We do not explore as much as we used to, and the activity level is falling. As a professional body and employer's organization for oil companies and supplier firms, one of OLF's most important tasks is to help ensure that the Norwegian Shelf is an attractive area for investment and activities. The industry needs larger exploration areas and competitive framework conditions. Fiscal changes have been proposed that will make it more profitable for the industry to increase exploration activities, while also making it more economical to extract oil and gas from the smaller fields. Measures must be implemented to stimulate more activity and good exploitation of the oil and gas resources in the years to come. On this basis, OLF has commissioned a report on social perspectives concerning the oil and gas activities. The social perspectives report addresses the significance of the petroleum industry for industrial and welfare development in Norway, exploration areas and access to resources, safety, technology and expertise, as well as environmental challenges and coexistence among marine industries. Values must be created before they can be shared. If we are to ensure a high level of welfare for generations yet to come, it is essential that the oil and gas activities last as long as possible (author) (ml)