A number of observations of unidentified drones/aircraft on the NCS and close to petroleum plants on land are one of the reasons why the government has upgraded the state of preparedness in petroleum operations.

The Petroleum Safety Authority Norway (PSA) has urged increased vigilance by all operators and vessel owners on the NCS.

It is following developments closely and conducting a close dialogue with the companies and relevant government agencies.

Drones

A number of notifications/reports have been received by the PSA from the operator companies concerning observations of unidentified drones/aircraft, both offshore and close to the onshore plants.

Unidentified drones/aircraft can increase risk, in part with regard to:

  • helicopter traffic and search and rescue (SAR) helicopters
  • ignition source control – equipment without Ex approval close to explosion-hazard areas
  • dropped objects – collision with a facility
  • deliberate attacks.

The drone cases are now under investigation by the Norwegian police. As a result, the PSA cannot share information about the content of the notifications/reports it has received, how many of these there have been, or its assessment/follow-up of them.

Questions about this must be addressed to the south-west Norway police district.

Nord Stream

The Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines in the Baltic were damaged in late September. The PSA does not wish to speculate about the causes of the damage or other aspects of these incidents.

The position in the Baltic is being dealt with by the relevant national governments.

Questions about protecting the national security of pipelines on the NCS should be put to the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy.

Responsibility

Pursuant to the Norwegian Petroleum Act, companies on the NCS are basically responsible for the security of their facilities. That is because they have the necessary knowledge and resources to exercise this responsibility. They collaborate closely with the national security authorities.

When threats are faced or in the event of deliberate attacks, the government is responsible for taking measures to safeguard facilities on the NCS.

The PSA’s role

The PSA has regulatory responsibility for safety, the working environment, emergency preparedness and security in the petroleum sector, and supervises the companies for their compliance with the regulations and to check that they conduct their operations in a safe manner.

It is monitoring the position closely and conducting a close dialogue with the companies and relevant government agencies.

The PSA is also pursuing a close dialogue with companies and unions in the petroleum sector, including through the Safety Forum.

ICT security

The Norwegian government has over time addressed intelligence threats to the petroleum sector and the need to strengthen ICT security.

The PSA has emphasised the need for vigilance and for the companies to have control of their own ability to respond.

It has broad contacts with the industry, and communicates challenges and measures to strengthen the robustness of ITC security through various activities and arenas for collaboration.

The PSA follows up the cyber attacks which fall within its area of responsibility and are reported to it. This reporting is confidential.

Threat picture

Russia’s war against Ukraine has led to increased attention being paid to the threat picture for the petroleum sector, energy security in Europe and the importance of secure operation on the NCS.

Norway makes an important contribution in today’s conditions by maintaining a high level of oil and gas production through continued high availability in the delivery chain. The PSA would emphasise that a close connection exists between security and high availability.

Where threat assessments related to the petroleum industry are concerned, the PSA would refer to the PST.