Norway strengthens security measures after the loss of Nord Stream

Norway has announced that it will tighten security measures around its oil facilities after an act of “sabotage” against the Nord Stream pipeline in the Baltic Sea.

“The government has decided to take measures to improve the safety of the infrastructure, ground stations and platforms of the Norwegian continental shelf,” said a statement by the Norwegian Energy Minister Terje Asland.

The government announcement came after three gas leaks, preceded by explosions on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, preceded by marches that oil companies reported having detected near their platforms in Norwegian waters.

This week, the Norwegian Oil Security Agency called on “all ship operators and shipowners on the continental shelf to exercise extra vigilance” after monitoring drones that could cause accidents or be used in attacks.

Concerns have increased after large quantities of gas have been released since Monday in mysterious incidents preceded by underwater explosions on the Nord Stream gas pipelines linking Russia and Germany across the Baltic Sea. Asland believed that “many things could indicate that it was an act of sabotage.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Denmark and Sweden also referred to an “act of sabotage”.

Norway became the largest gas supplier to Europe instead of Russia, due to the war in Ukraine.

A major pipeline network connects Norway to the European continent, but experts warn that this network is vulnerable to sabotage.

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Source: agencies

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