Another Norwegian here. I think you are right. The high level of education also helps. But it was actually an Iraqian immigrant named Farouk al-Kasim that proposed the laws to protect Norways natural oil and gas resources.
Finnish, not Norwegian - I think you guys have done great.
Read the story of Farouk al-Kasim a few months ago, fascinating. It does seem like a stroke of luck that the right people were there in the beginning. His nationality is both ironic and sad considering where Iraq is today
Further reading: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/99680a04-92a0-11de-b63b-00144feabd...