Norway plans further development of Arctic drilling amid EU energy concerns
Norway plans to continue developing oil and gas resources in the Arctic Barents Sea, citing European energy security needs following the war in Ukraine. Despite EU environmental policies aiming to halt new fossil fuel projects, Norway remains a critical energy supplier for the region.
Why it matters
It illustrates the tension between climate change mitigation goals and the immediate geopolitical necessity of energy security.
EU reviewing support of a ban on new drilling in the Arctic as war impacts energy security.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info Several European countries have become entirely dependent on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) and Norwegian natural gas imports after the Iran war severely disrupted alternative European supply routes [File: Olivier Hoslet/EPA] By Al Jazeera Staff and Reuters Published On 24 Aug 2026 24 Aug 2026 Norway will continue developing its Arctic oil and gas resources despite European Union (EU) policy seeking to halt new fossil fuel projects in the region, according to a senior government official.
Development of reserves in the Barents Sea is to persist, Energy Minister Terje Aasland told Reuters news agency on Monday. While the EU currently supports a ban on new drilling in the Arctic on environmental grounds , it is reviewing the policy due to energy security concerns.
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