Norway will continue drilling for oil in the Barents Sea, even if the European Union decides to temporarily suspend oil extraction in Arctic areas, Energy Minister Terje Aasland (Labour Party) says. The plans have drawn criticism from the Socialist Left Party (SV), the Green Party (MDG) and the Liberal Party (Venstre).

Norway no longer considers itself Europe’s “green battery”, Aasland told Reuters ahead of the major ONS oil and energy conference in Stavanger.

“Given the current geopolitical and security situation, as well as the availability of resources, I believe that continued activity in the Barents Sea is in the interests of both Norway and Europe,” Aasland said.

The term “green battery” referred to the idea that Norway’s hydropower could help stabilise the EU’s fluctuating electricity production through power cables. According to Aasland, however, the idea is outdated and has not worked.

Updated strategy

The EU is expected to adopt an updated Arctic strategy this autumn. Under its current strategy, the EU supports a moratorium – a temporary suspension of all oil and gas extraction activities in the Arctic, defined as the area north of the Arctic Circle.

It is not yet known whether an oil extraction moratorium will also be included in the new strategy.

Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine has made Norway a key gas supplier to Europe. Norwegian gas currently accounts for around 30 per cent of gas supplies to the EU and the UK. Last year, Norwegian gas production reached a record level.

“We will develop”

According to Aasland, Norway’s goal is to maintain oil and gas production and exports at their current levels.

“We will develop these areas (in the Barents Sea – ed.) and, if the EU wants to impose a moratorium on the purchase of this gas or oil, that will be its decision,” Aasland said.

On Monday, it was also announced that Equinor and Düsseldorf-based energy company Uniper had signed a 15-year agreement for annual deliveries of around 2.8 billion cubic metres of natural gas to Germany.

“They have no scruples”

The energy minister’s comments triggered strong reactions from SV, MDG and Venstre.

“There are no limits to the government’s enthusiasm for oil. They have no scruples, even if it means drilling in sensitive areas of Arctic nature. This year’s wildfires, heatwaves and thousands of deaths should lead to a radical change in Norway’s oil policy,” Lars Haltbrekken, SV’s spokesperson on environmental policy, told NTB.

“In recent years, the government has conducted an intensive lobbying campaign against EU environmental regulations. This has concerned both the Water Framework Directive, which prevents mining waste from being discharged into clean Norwegian fjords, and the temporary ban on oil drilling in sensitive marine areas far to the north,” he added.

“Don’t believe Støre”

Frøya Skjold Sjursæther of MDG described the Norwegian government’s efforts to persuade the EU to abandon a moratorium on oil extraction as “shocking” in an interview with the Brussels-based EU Observer.

“Don’t believe the prime minister (Jonas Gahr Støre – ed.). He is not acting in your best interests,” she said.

Venstre has also criticised Aasland’s comments.

“Continuing to drill in the Barents Sea if the EU decides on a moratorium in the Arctic is completely insane. The Arctic is a sensitive natural environment that we should protect, not drill in. It shows a government that believes more in the age of oil than in Europe’s ability to transform. We can do better,” Venstre MP Grunde Almeland said.

(©NTB)