Norway’s Petroleum Safety Authority called for “increased vigilance by operators and shipowners on the continental shelf” after detecting drones that could cause an accident or attack.
Measures to protect its energy infrastructure Norway receives, main “blood donor” of Europe with natural gas, after the disasters in the pipelines of Nord Stream, which everyone attributes to sabotage, and especially to a “Russian finger”.
The Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gar Stere told the NTB agency that he does not see a particular risk to offshore oil and gas infrastructure after the explosions in the Baltic and has not asked for NATO assistance. However, Norway will strengthen security around oil facilities, terminals and facilities on the Norwegian continental shelf.
“The government has decided to take measures to strengthen the security of infrastructure, terminals and facilities on the Norwegian continental shelf,” Norwegian Energy Minister Terge Aasland said in a statement last night.
The announcement was issued following the “mysterious” leaks that followed an explosion at the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines and the recent sighting of drone flights reported by oil companies around their platforms in Norwegian territorial waters.
Norway, as the main supplier of natural gas to Europe in place of Russia, as a consequence of the war in Ukraine, is connected to the European continent with an extensive network of natural gas pipelines, which experts believe is vulnerable to sabotage.
Oslo plans to maintain existing high production levels in natural gas until the end of the decade as Europe ends Russian imports following the invasion of Ukraine.
Norway’s production is expected to reach 122 billion cubic meters this year, according to official forecasts, marking an 8% increase from 2021 and possibly surpassing the last record five years ago.
Drones detected
Norway’s Petroleum Safety Authority called for “increased vigilance by operators and shipowners on the continental shelf” after detecting drones that could cause an accident or attack.
In a statement issued by the High Representative of the EU Joseph Borel points out that “all available information indicates that these leaks are result of deliberate action. We will support any investigation aimed at full clarity on what happened and why, and we will further measures to increase our resilience in energy security”.
Damage to Nord Stream 1 & 2 are not a coincidence and affect us all.
All available information indicates leaks are the result of a deliberate act.
Deliberate disruption of European energy infrastructure is utterly unacceptable and will be met with a robust and united response. https://t.co/p32qR8TzOb
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) September 28, 2022
“Sabotage damage to the Nord Stream pipelines”
The NATO Secretary General also attributed the damage to the Nord Stream pipelines to sabotage Jens Stoltenberg, stating that he discussed the protection of critical infrastructure in NATO countries with Danish Defense Minister Morten Bodskoff.
“We discussed the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines with Defense Minister Morten Bodskoff. We touched on the protection of critical infrastructure of NATO countries,” tweeted Jens Stoltenberg.
“There are reasons for security concern in the Baltic region,” Denmark’s defense minister previously found, citing the suspected sabotage of the two natural gas pipelines as a more recent example.
“Russia has a significant military presence in the Baltic Sea region and we expect them to continue their show of force,” Morten Bodskoff said in a statement after meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels.
Discussed the sabotage on the #NorthStream pipelines with Defense Minister @mfMorten of our valued Ally #Denmark. We addressed the protection of critical infrastructure in #NATO countries. pic.twitter.com/GCRgVOTR2S
— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) September 28, 2022
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I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
