Multiple explosions damaged Nordstream 1 and Nordstream 2 pipelines.
After Vladimir Putin was charged with sabotage for causing “unprecedented” damage to undersea cables between Russia and Europe, security around Britain’s oil-and-gas pipelines needs to be reviewed immediately.
Gas leaks in the Baltic Sea due to ruptures on the #NordStream pipeline are expected to continue until Oct 2, the RIA Novosti news agency reported, citing the pipeline operator, Nord Stream AG. https://t.co/HTGohxSWOv
— Share_Talk ™ (@Share_Talk) September 30, 2022
After underwater explosions caused four leaks, Nord Stream 1 & 2 were damaged by underwater blasts, the energy industry has been discussing how to protect North Sea oil rigs and gas pipelines.
After the Nord Stream ruptures, unidentified drones were spotted flying close to Norwegian oil and gas rigs. Industry representatives have also reached out to their Norwegian counterparts.
On the Nord Stream lines between Sweden and Denmark, four leaks were discovered. Although the cause of the leaks is unknown, the US, NATO, and EU claim they were sabotaged.
This attack comes amid a growing energy war between Europe and Russia due to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. It has been dismissed by the Kremlin as stupid suggestions that it may be behind the attack.
Mark Wilson, Offshore Energies UK operations director, stated that there was no evidence of unusual activity in the UK, which would give rise to any concern. However, he wanted to ensure it was prepared.
Underwater explosions have been recorded by seismologists in #Denmark & #Sweden after the discovery of gas leaks in #Russian gas pipelines to #Europe. “There is no doubt that these were explosions,” Bjorn Lund, a seismologist at Sweden’s National Seismology Centre told SVT. https://t.co/bq3nsvjj4k pic.twitter.com/L5zZA9tvWg
— Share_Talk ™ (@Share_Talk) September 27, 2022
Norway is Britain’s biggest supplier of natural gas. On Tuesday, Norwegian authorities urged oil and gas companies to be alert, warning that drones could pose a threat of accidents or attacks.
The Norwegian Prime Minister announced Wednesday that it will deploy its military to defend its oil and gas infrastructures.
Wilson stated: “We want to make sure we can act in proportionate, pragmatic and prepared ways.”
“So, we’re engaged. We are reaching out to members, primarily the operating communities, in order to have discussions about control measures they currently have.
“We will also hold a sharing and learning session, from Norway in relation to what else we could or should be doing to prepare from a security perspective.
“If Norway has a good practice, we will make sure that we can replicate it. It’s all about reviewing the existing practices and knowledge-sharing.
“We reached out to the business department and were connected to the Center for the Protection of National Infrastructure.”
He also added offshore rigs that already have well-tested security measures, including 500m exclusion zones for boats.
Neither the Nord Stream nor the Nord Stream pipelines were in use during the suspected blasts. They were filled with gas which has been bubbling up to the Baltic Sea surface since Monday.
Wednesday’s statement by the European Union promised a “robust response” to any intentional disruption of its energy infrastructure.
