– The situation we are in now is bleak and demanding, said Director of the Petroleum Safety Authority, Anne Myrvold when she opened the Top Leader Conference 2022 at Sola on Tuesday. Here, leaders from the oil industry and the authorities have gathered to talk about the most serious security policy situation in decades. These are the defense’s own images of F-35 aircraft over the Draugen field. Photo: The Norwegian Defense Forces A situation which for the oil companies is characterized by drone observations and military presence. That is why Chief of Defense Eirik Kristoffersen was also present via video link to give his assessment of the situation we now find ourselves in. – The whole of Europe is more dependent on Norwegian energy and gas, and wants to get rid of its dependence on Russian energy. This makes Norway much more important for Europe. Thus also more important for Russia, he said. – A more vulnerable target This affects Norway’s status as a target. – We must be aware that this can be a means of creating even greater uncertainty. If there is doubt about our ability to deliver a secure energy supply to Europe, it will be difficult for the European countries. In that sense, Norway has become a more vulnerable target, he said. According to Chief of Defense Eirik Kristoffersen, it is important to keep calm, despite the heightened security situation. Photo: Øyvind Bye Skille / news At the same time, he was adamant that there is no direct threat to Norway. They do not see any imminent military attack against Norway. – If there are any governments behind the drone flight, and what happened with Nord Stream 1 and 2, I think the purpose is to create uncertainty and unrest. Then it requires us to keep calm, he said. Furthermore, he drew out a famous stanza from the Second World War. – “Keep calm and carry on” said the English during the Second World War. I think that is also important for us now. So that we can distinguish between all the turmoil we face and sort this. The CEO of Equinor believes it will be long-term. The CEO of Equinor was one of the senior managers present at the conference. He says he understands that employees and their loved ones are worried about drone activity and attacks on gas lines. – Unfortunately, it is probably the new everyday life that we have to deal with more uncertainty. Then it is incredibly important that we all work closely together. That we seek fact-oriented information, so that we can be confident that we have initiated the necessary measures. Anders Opedal is CEO of Equinor. His company has several times reported drone sightings at their oil installations. Photo: Thomas Ystrøm / news There are almost 9,000 kilometers of pipes on the Norwegian continental shelf that link the gas systems together. It is Gassco that works with the security linked to this. – We have monitoring in a control room for the entire system. Here we monitor pressure and temperatures and so on. This monitoring takes place continuously. In addition, we have a maintenance program where we inspect both the inside and outside of the pipes, says Frode Leversund, director of Gassco. The Home Guard was deployed at Gassco’s gas plant in Kårstø about three weeks ago. Photo: Marthe Synnøve Susort Johannessen / news Allies patrol the sea areas In addition, the chief of defense said that the Norwegian Armed Forces will increase vigilance around Norwegian oil and gas installations with vessels from the Norwegian Navy and the Coast Guard, as well as surveillance aircraft from the air. – There is also close cooperation with the allies. There are many nations that have offered to assist. And there is considerable activity in the North Sea now with German vessels, British vessels, American vessels, Dutch soldiers on Norwegian soil, he said. Frode Leversund is director of Gassco. Photo: Thomas ystrøm / news
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“Keep calm and carry on” – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
