Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams is touring Iceland and Norway this week, looking for ideas on getting more value from the fishing and energy industries.

Williams started the four-day tour Tuesday in Iceland, which has faced similar problems with its fishery, including declining resources, tough competition from low-cost Chinese processors and a weaker U.S. dollar.

Danny Williams said that Newfoundland and Labrador can learn lessons about resource management from Iceland and Norway.
(CBC)

However, Williams is looking for more detail on how the country has "embraced research and development opportunities" in its resource industries.

In Norway, Williams is reviewing the oil and gas industry, in which the annual production is eight times as large as the fields off Newfoundland's east coast.

In a statement, Williams said he wanted to talk to Norwegian government officials about the benefit regimes in the offshore, "given my interest in fallow field legislation, equity participation and industrial benefits."

To the consternation of oil companies, Williams has been researching a fallow field law, which could force oil companies to use or lose long-held offshore properties.

"As our government continues to move our province toward a more sustainable and self-reliant future, it is important to learn from other jurisdictions around the world," Williams said in a statement.

Williams has had an aggressive position on energy development since becoming premier in 2003. He took on former prime minister Paul Martin over the province's share of offshore oil revenues, and is currently deadlocked with owners of the undeveloped Hebron field over royalties and ownership issues.

Earlier this year, Williams's government turned down applications to develop the Lower Churchill hydroelectric project in Labrador, opting instead to develop the megaproject in-house.

Williams said the provincial delegation will also learn about alternative forms of energy, including hydrogen and geothermal generation. Williams said he wants Newfoundland and Labrador to become "an energy warehouse."

The Newfoundland and Labrador government is expected to release a broad-ranging plan on energy policy, including alternative energies such as wind power, by November.