Wednesday 28 September 2022 10:38 AM Norway's oil rigs step up security after visits by mysterious drones after Nord ... trends now

Wednesday 28 September 2022 10:38 AM Norway's oil rigs step up security after visits by mysterious drones after Nord ... trends now
Wednesday 28 September 2022 10:38 AM Norway's oil rigs step up security after visits by mysterious drones after Nord ... trends now

Wednesday 28 September 2022 10:38 AM Norway's oil rigs step up security after visits by mysterious drones after Nord ... trends now

Norway is beefing up security on its offshore North Sea oil rigs following explosions on the Nord Stream pipelines amid alleged Russian sabotage.

Drones have been spotted near Norway's platforms, amid fears of Russian sabotage on what is now the biggest supply of gas to Europe after the Kremlin turned off its taps.

Energy minister Terje Aasland said: 'The government has decided to put measures in place to increase security at infrastructure sites, land terminals and platforms on the Norwegian continental shelf.'

The Equinor's Johan Sverdrup oilfield platforms are pictured in the North Sea, as Norway beefs up its security

The Equinor's Johan Sverdrup oilfield platforms are pictured in the North Sea, as Norway beefs up its security

A massive area of gas bubbles stretching more than 3,000ft across is seen in the Baltic Sea off Sweden after explosions on the Nord Stream pipelines

A massive area of gas bubbles stretching more than 3,000ft across is seen in the Baltic Sea off Sweden after explosions on the Nord Stream pipelines

A satellite image released by Planet Labs PBC showing the gas leak at the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline off the Danish Baltic island of Bornholm, south of Dueodde, in the Baltic sea

A satellite image released by Planet Labs PBC showing the gas leak at the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline off the Danish Baltic island of Bornholm, south of Dueodde, in the Baltic sea

They have not identified a specific threat nor asked for assistance from NATO, but the country's largest oil and gas firm Equinor recently said it had notified authorities of sightings of drones of unknown origin flying near some of its platforms.

'We would urge increased vigilance, a review of emergency preparedness measures and incident response, and information sharing,' Norway's Petroleum Safety Authority said in a letter to operators. 

Drones have been spotted at least six Equinor sites, with one just 50m away from its Heidrun platform, breaking the 500m security perimeter. 

The Scandinavian country has a vast network of pipelines linking it to the continent, which experts have said are at risk of sabotage. 

Denmark, whose territorial waters skirt the area where the blasts took place, has also moved to secure its own platforms. 

The announcement came after three unexplained gas leaks, preceded by two explosions, occurred on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines on Monday.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), what Ukrainian authorities consider to be an Iranian made suicide drone Shahed-136, is seen in the skies over Odesa

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), what Ukrainian authorities consider to be an Iranian made suicide drone Shahed-136, is seen in the skies over Odesa

Poland's Prime Minister said he believed the pipelines had been sabotaged at an opening of a new pipeline between Norway and his nation today (Baltic Sea is pictured as gas escapes from undersea pipes)

Poland's Prime Minister said he believed the pipelines had been sabotaged at an opening of a new pipeline between Norway and his nation today (Baltic Sea is pictured as gas escapes from undersea pipes)

The CIA warned weeks ago that the pipes could be attacked ahead of the

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