Inspections of Norway’s overseas gas pipes after the Nord Stream blasts located absolutely nothing questionable, an exec at power significant Equinor informed Reuters, in the very first authorities word on the safety and security move.
However, threats stay after in 2014’s still-unexplained surges at the Nord Stream pipelines developed to bring Russian gas to Germany by means of the Baltic Sea, cautioned Jannicke Nilsson, that handles safety and security for Equinor.
Europe’s biggest gas vendor after a decrease in Russian streams in 2014, Equinor likewise works as technological company for offshore pipes driverGassco It introduced the evaluations soon after the surges onSept 26.
“We did find the things that we wanted to check, and when we checked it, it was OK,” Jannicke Nilsson, Equinor’s exec accountable of safety and security, security and also sustainability, stated in a meeting.
The firm stated evaluations had actually been performed to recognize anything off the beaten track, like problems, international things or any type of modifications to exactly how the pipes are covered on the seabed.
Nilsson, that seldom provides meetings, mentioned exactly how the battle in Ukraine and also the Nord Stream surges have actually altered the procedures of Norway’s biggest oil and also gas manufacturer.
Despite undersea evaluations not locating any type of questionable things along Norway’s crucial pipes, the danger of an assault was still existing.
“It’s not gone. What happened with Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 is a very clear reminder of how far some people are willing to go,” she stated.
NATO AID
Equinor was collaborating with authorities in Norway, the European Union, Britain and also army partnership NATO on what the firm can do to stop such an assault, she included.
Norway belongs to NATO however not of the European Union.
Last summertime, Norway marked Equinor and also Gassco as business crucial to nationwide safety and security, enabling safety and security solutions to share appropriate identified info.
After theFeb 24 intrusion, some Equinor execs, consisting of Nilsson, got safety and security clearances from Norwegian authorities, enabling them to review knowledge records.
In January, Equinor CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Anders Opedal mosted likely to NATO’s head office in Brussels to mention security of the West’s offshore framework, such as pipes and also cords.
After the Nord Stream blasts, the Norwegian Navy and also NATO allies patrolled around offshore oil and also gas systems. In February, NATO developed a Critical Undersea Infrastructure Protection Cell to boost collaboration with the sector.
“If we need assistance, the Norwegian military and NATO would provide resources… they would be here quickly,” Nilsson stated.
Onshore, Norway’s army uploaded soldiers to secure significant oil and also gas handling plants and also aid cops, though their job there has actually currently finished.
“I don’t think this could have happened two years ago… because back then we were not seen as that important for European energy security,” Nilsson stated. “Now they see that gas from Norway and gas from Equinor is key.”
(Reuters – Reporting by Nerijus Adomaitis, Editing by Gwladys Fouche and also Andrew Cawthorne)
