OSLO, September 30 (Reuters) – Norway will receive help from Britain, Germany and France to patrol the seas around its oil and gas rigs as sabotage caused leaks in Nord Stream pipelines earlier this week, Norway’s Prime Minister announced on Friday.
Russia’s Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines burst this week, draining gas into the Baltic Sea off Denmark and Sweden. Seismologists have recorded explosions in the area.
The European Union said it suspected sabotage caused the damage while Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday accused the United States and its allies of blowing up the pipelines. Washington said it was too early to confirm it was sabotage and dismissed claims he was responsible. Read more
Join now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com
Norway, Europe’s largest gas supplier and a major oil exporter, has more than 90 oil fields, most of which are connected to a network of gas pipelines stretching some 9,000 km (5,590 miles) .
Norway deploys its navy, coast guard and air force to enhance oil and gas security.
“We are in dialogue with our allies regarding an increased presence in the Norwegian (offshore) sector and have said yes to the contributions from Germany, France and Great Britain,” Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said during of a press conference.
“It is natural for our allies to sail alongside our ships,” he said.
Stoere did not specify how much aid Norway, a NATO member country of just 5.4 million people, would receive.
He reiterated that the country had no indications of direct threats to Norway or Norwegian infrastructure, but said it was nonetheless prudent to step up security.
“In this situation, it’s prudent to have allies,” Stoere said.
On Saturday, the Norwegian Prime Minister will visit the Sleipner field in the North Sea, an important source of gas transported to Europe.
“I will get a briefing and meet with employees on the platform. There are many of them and they are important,” Stoere said.
Join now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com
Reporting by Victoria Klesty; edited by Terje Solsvik and Raissa Kasolowsky
Our standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.