In the fall of 2000, Statoil drilled for the first time, but did not discover any oil (Naturvernforbundet, 2017). However, as this took place, political pressure against the Labor Party grew along with public unrest.  MDG voiced its opinion on the matter, and even though they had little influence at the time, other political parties and Norwegian environmental organizations expressed the same concern. In 2001, direct protests took place, with the most famous one located in Lofoten itself.