At 21:30 on Thursday evening, the police received a message from the Norwegian Armed Forces, which is stationed at Equinor’s Kårstø facility in Tysvær, about the possible observation of a drone. The police know that this is a gas plant that may be of particular interest, and take the incident seriously. – Considering the security situation in Europe now and the fact that this is a gas plant that has a central role in Europe’s energy supply, it is natural that we take such observations seriously, says operations manager Sørvest police district Victor Fenne-Jensen to news. It was Stavanger Aftenblad that reported on the case first. The Kårstø processing plant in Northern Rogaland has an important role in the transport and treatment of gas and condensate from central areas on the Norwegian continental shelf. Large police forces Large police forces were armed when they moved out to both sides of Boknafjorden on the night of Friday. – When we don’t know who, whether it is one or more people or what the environment and intention is, we have to take all hypotheses into account. As a preventive measure, the police are armed in this effort, says Fenne-Jensen. The police checked, among other things, vehicles in the area. – Our main goal during these hours during which the action is ongoing is to have the drone, drone pilot, people and any vehicles verified and identified, he says. Got interesting information Just after 01:00 on the night of Friday, the police ended the operational efforts at Boknafjorden. – We have worked for a couple of hours, and have now finished the operational efforts. This is now continuing in the investigation and intelligence track, says the police’s task leader at the scene, Fritz Arne Lilleskog. The police inform news that they ended the night’s operation with a negative result. – This means that we did not come into contact with the drone pilot, people or vehicles, says operations manager Fenne-Jensen. The police say they have received some interesting information. – We have some information in the case that is of interest. Both in terms of observations and possible video recording. This is material that we have received and which will go into the further investigation of the case, says Fenne-Jensen. Photo: Heidi Karin Gilje Skog Several hypotheses – The North Sea environmental section in our police district has central responsibility for the investigation of drone observations made on the shelf and various land facilities recently, he says. The police have several hypotheses in their work to identify who may be behind it. – At one end of the scale it could be foreign powers, at the other end it could be a hobby drone pilot. In between there can be different players, says Fenne-Jensen. The police are asking members of the public who may have information to contact them. – As long as we did not get control of this drone pilot last night and tonight, we have to take into account the whole spectrum of hypotheses, and here the public can provide information to help us clarify the case, says the operations manager.
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The Norwegian Armed Forces reported on possible drone observation at gas plants – news Norway – Overview of news from various parts of the country
