Investments in oil and gas, manufacturing, mining and electricity supply, Q3 2004

Results from the August survey estimate total investments in manufacturing, mining and quarrying and electricity supply in 2004 to be NOK 27.4 billion, measured in current value. This is a 7 per cent increase compared with the corresponding figures for 2003. A higher level of investment within electricity supply and industries producing refined petroleum products, chemicals and chemical products is the main reason for this development. Estimates for 2005 are 5 per cent lower than the corresponding figures for 2004, mostly due to an anticipated fall in investments in manufacturing. The completion of several large projects within the production of non-ferrous metals is the main reason for this result.

New estimation method: From sample to population

Up until and including Q4 2003 Statistics Norway published aggregated investment figures for a sample of approx. 1 900 establishments in manufacturing, mining and quarrying, and electricity supply. The results were estimated as totals of reported figures. High coverage and high response rate were the incentives for using this simple form of aggregation.

To improve the quality of the survey and the capability for comparison across different quantitative statistics, Statistics Norway has started to publish estimated investment figures for the entire population. The new method represents a level shift in the Quarterly Investment Statistics. Estimated investment figures for the population have been calculated back to 1989 and published in ordinary tables and in StatBank Norway. For more information, please use the link New estimation method .