Norway plans further development of Arctic drilling amid EU energy concerns

EU reviewing support of a ban on new drilling in the Arctic as war impacts energy security.Published On 24 Aug 202624 Aug 2026Norway 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.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Ukraine ‘cuts off’ Crimea from Russia, plunging it into an energy crisislist 2 of 4Beyond LNG: Berlin’s red-carpet diplomacy signals a bigger bet on Algerialist 3 of 4Why a North Sea oilfield is emerging as British PM Burnham’s big testlist 4 of 4Can China’s new Arctic sea route to Europe replace Middle East chokepoints?end of list“In today’s geopolitical and security environment, and given the resource situation, I ⁠believe continued activity in the Barents Sea serves both Norwegian and European interests,” Aasland said ahead of ONS, Norway’s bia...