Norway: Soviknes leaves minister of petroleum role

Norwegian Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Terje Søviknes, has been removed from his role and replaced by a member of the Norwegian Parliament. 

In a session of the Council of Norwegian state on Friday, the Norwegian King has made changes in the government.

The changes include the appointment of Member of Parliament, Kjell-Bjørge Freiberg, as Minister of Petroleum and Energy.

At the same time, Minister of Transport and Communication, Ketil Solvik-Olsen, and Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Terje Søviknes have been honorably discharged from their offices.

The changes are active as of August 31, 2018, the government said.

Søviknes took the role of the Minister of Petroleum and Energy in December 2016, following the departure of Tord Lien.