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Norway will drill in Arctic regardless of EU's position, says energy minister
Energy Minister Terje Aasland said Norway will continue developing Barents Sea oil and gas regardless of the EU's moratorium on Arctic drilling, and rejected the 'green battery' label. He emphasised Norway's sovereign right to develop resources, while the EU weighs energy security against environmental concerns.
Norway to continue Arctic drilling despite EU moratorium, says energy minister
Norway will continue to develop oil and gas resources in the Barents Sea even if the European Union maintains its moratorium on Arctic drilling, Energy Minister Terje Aasland told Reuters in an interview. Aasland also distanced Norway from its earlier self-description as Europe's 'green battery.'
Following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Norway has become Europe's largest supplier of natural gas, meeting around 30% of gas demand in the EU and Britain. Last year, Norwegian gas production neared record levels, and oil output reached a 14-year high. Official forecasts, however, show production declining sharply after 2030 without new discoveries.
"In today's geopolitical and security environment, and given the resource situation, I believe continued activity in the Barents Sea serves both Norwegian and European interests," Aasland said.
The EU supports a ban on new Arctic drilling on environmental grounds but is reviewing that stance amid energy security concerns. Aasland said it was Norway's sovereign right to develop the region's resources. "If Norway is to remain a long-term supplier of oil and gas to Europe... then the Arctic must be part of that discussion," he added.
Anders Opedal, CEO of Equinor, Norway's largest energy firm, said oil and liquefied natural gas from the Barents Sea could be shipped anywhere in the world if rejected by Europe. "The only thing that will suffer from this is actually European security. We have the flexibility," Opedal told Reuters.
Maintaining output
Aasland said Norway aims to keep production and exports near current levels until at least 2035, with the Barents Sea playing a central role. Norway has argued that the parts of the Barents Sea opened for activity are ice-free and less spill-prone, helping sustain northern jobs and communities. Arctic oil would still reach global markets, while gas could be exported as LNG from Equinor's Melkoeya plant near Hammerfest.
The International Energy Agency's Executive Director, Fatih Birol, has urged the EU to reconsider its opposition to new Arctic projects. Critics counter that such projects would take years to develop and would not help Europe's near-term energy needs.
Meanwhile, Aasland rejected the 'green battery' idea—once used to describe Norway's role as a renewable power exporter. He said deeper integration with Europe's power grid had exposed Norway to price swings, and confirmed no new interconnectors would be built. Instead, he urged European nations to bolster their own stable power supplies, weakened by coal and nuclear plant closures and underinvestment in gas-fired generation.
How this outlet told it
rte.ie
Framing: Emphasizes Norway's stance on drilling regardless of EU position, focusing on the country's sovereignty and energy diplomacy — Analytical and neutral, using a balanced presentation of Norway's arguments and critics
Facts Included:
Norway will continue developing oil and gas in the Barents Sea regardless of EU moratorium
Norway no longer sees itself as Europe's 'green battery'
Norway is Europe's largest natural gas supplier, meeting ~30% of EU and Britain gas demand
Gas production near record levels last year; oil output highest since 2009
Official forecasts show production falling sharply after 2030 unless new resources are discovered
EU currently supports a ban on new drilling in Arctic on environmental grounds
Equinor CEO Anders Opedal said oil and LNG from Barents Sea can be shipped anywhere if rejected by EU
Aasland said Norway aims to maintain production until at least 2035
Norway argued parts of Barents Sea are ice-free and less prone to spills
Aasland said it is Norway's sovereign right to develop Barents Sea
Aasland said it would be up to EU whether to have moratorium on buying gas or oil
Arctic oil sold into global markets; gas exported worldwide as LNG from Equinor's Melkoeya plant
IEA chief Fatih Birol urged EU to reconsider opposition to Arctic drilling
Critics argue new Arctic projects would take many years and do little for near-term energy challenges
Norway produces surplus renewable energy from hydro, exported via cross-border cables
Norway previously presented itself as 'green battery' but now calls it flawed idea
Aasland said Norway will not build new interconnectors
Aasland urged countries to strengthen stable power supply weakened by coal and nuclear plant closures
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Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimNorway will continue developing its oil and gas resources in the Barents Sea regardless of the European Union's support for a moratorium on Arctic hydrocarbon supplies.
ClaimFollowing Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Norway has become Europe's largest supplier of natural gas, meeting around 30% of gas demand of both the European Union and Britain.
ClaimThe European Union currently supports a ban on new drilling in the Arctic and is considering revising its policy in response to concerns about energy security.
ClaimNorway has argued to EU officials that parts of the Barents Sea opened to petroleum activity are ice-free and less prone to oil spills, and help sustain jobs and settlement in northern regions.
ClaimArctic oil would be sold into global markets regardless, while gas could be exported worldwide as liquefied natural gas from Equinor's Melkoeya LNG plant near Hammerfest.
ClaimInternational Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol has urged the European Union to reconsider its opposition to new Arctic oil and gas developments.
ClaimNorway produces a surplus of renewable energy most years from its hydroelectric plants, which it has exported to Europe via cross-border power cables.
ClaimNorway used to present itself as the 'green battery' of Europe but the idea is now outdated because Norway alone can't balance the European power market.
ClaimAasland urged European countries to strengthen stable power supply that has been weakened by coal and nuclear plant closures and lack of investment in new gas-fired generation.