The Norwegian Oil and Gas Association (NOG), Tuesday said that a planned escalation in the ongoing strike of Norwegian offshore oil and natural gas workers could reduce 56% of Norway’s gas exports starting Saturday.
NOG stated in a statement that gas exports would be reduced by 1,117,000 barrels of oil equivalent (boe), per day starting July 9. Meanwhile, 341,000 barrels of oil would be lost.
If a strike continues, gas supplies to the UK could be cut completely from Norway.
Norway warned that nearly 60% of exports could be affected by a worker’s walkout later in the week.
Equinor, the energy giant, has stopped production at three oil fields and two gas fields. This was after workers quit their jobs following failed wage negotiations.
Gassco, the nation’s state-owned operator of the pipeline, said to the Financial Times that in a worst-case scenario, UK deliveries could be stopped completely.
Norway is Britain’s largest gas supplier, accounting for nearly half of its total consumption in the last year.
As countries race to stock up on winter supplies ahead of the start of winter, strikes could exacerbate Europe’s energy crisis.
