Norway, currently Europe’s main gas supplier, will tighten security around its oil facilities, the Norwegian government has announced following the alleged “sabotage” of Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea.
“The government has decided to take measures to increase the security of infrastructure, land terminals and facilities on the Norwegian continental shelf,” Norwegian Energy Minister Terje Aasland said in a statement released late Tuesday.
The announcement comes after mysterious leaks, preceded by explosions, that hit the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines on Monday and recent drone sightings reported by oil companies around their platforms in Norwegian waters.
The Norwegian Petroleum Safety Authority this week called for “heightened vigilance from all operators and shipowners on the continental shelf” in response to these drone sightings it believes could cause an accident or attack.
Concerns have grown after major leaks, preceded by underwater explosions, hit the Nord Stream gas pipelines, which have been connecting Russia and Germany under the Baltic Sea since Monday.
“Many things can indicate that this is sabotage,” said Aasland.
An “act of sabotage” was also called by the President of the European Commission (EC), Ursula von der Leyen, Denmark and Sweden.
Now, as the main supplier of gas to Europe rather than Russia – as a result of the war in Ukraine, which began on February 24 – Norway is connected to Europe by a wide variety of pipelines that experts consider vulnerable to acts of sabotage.
Source: DN
