We are talking about energy security for Europe': Norway doubles down on oil and gas production

"We will develop, not dismantle, activity on our continental shelf."

"This week, to the alarm of environmental campaigners, he announced that three gasfields off the country's southern coast would reopen by the end of 2028 nearly three decades after they closed to meet a shortfall caused by the impact of the war in Ukraine and disruption to supplies from the Middle East."

"The decision will help keep gas and oil production at about the 2025 level which has been stable for almost 20 years and stay broadly the same for the rest of this decade. Norway has 97 offshore oilfields, three of which came on stream last year, and its Norwegian Offshore Directorate expects 100 and beyond within the next two years, still producing at least the present level of 2m barrels of oil daily."

"The world, and Europe, will have a need for oil and gas for decades to come and it is crucial that Norway continues to develop its continental shelf to remain a reliable and long-term supplier and (with) a high level of exploration activity."

Norway’s energy minister states that offshore activity on the continental shelf will be developed rather than dismantled. Three southern-coast gasfields are set to reopen by the end of 2028 after nearly three decades, aiming to address supply shortfalls linked to the war in Ukraine and disruptions from the Middle East. The plan is intended to keep gas and oil production around the 2025 level, which has remained stable for almost 20 years, and to sustain broadly similar output through the rest of the decade. Norway has 97 offshore oilfields, with expectations for additional fields to come online soon. The Barents Sea is positioned as a future frontier for gas, oil, and potential seabed minerals, following initial surveys. Offshore production is framed as essential for European energy security and long-term supply reliability.

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