The Northern Regional Council will be meeting with Statoil on Friday to discuss the company's petroleum exploration plans in the region.

The Government has granted Statoil two exploration permits to prospect for deep-sea oil in the Reinga Basin, about 100 kilometres off Northland's west coast.

Regional council chairman Bill Shepherd said the council has a responsibility to be well-informed on the topic including understanding the regulations governing petroleum exploration.

He said in recognition that there are strong views both for and against it, the meeting will be closed to the public and media.

But he's ensuring both sides of the debate will have equal, although separate opportunities to explain their viewpoints.