EU keeps Arctic drilling ban call despite Norway

The European Union will keep calling for a ban on new oil and gas drilling in the Arctic despite opposition from Norway, a European Commission spokesman said on September 21.

The European Commission is due to present a revised Arctic strategy this autumn. Norway, which is not an EU member but is one of Europe’s main energy suppliers, has urged Brussels to drop its support for a moratorium on new hydrocarbon extraction in the region.

A Commission spokesman said the EU’s position on the moratorium would remain unchanged and that its policies aimed to address climate change, environmental degradation and sustainable economic development.

A European moratorium would not bind Norway, but it would signal the EU’s intention to move away from Arctic oil and gas and could discourage EU energy companies from investing in projects there.

Norway has argued for Arctic drilling by pointing to supply vulnerabilities in the Middle East. Oil and gas traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has been disrupted in recent months because of the US war against Iran.

“Norway decides on its resources, not the EU,” Norwegian Energy Minister Terje Aasland said. He said Europe’s energy situation would be more difficult without Norwegian deliveries and said Norway was a stable and reliable supplier, including from the Barents Sea.

Norway continues to open new Arctic areas to oil and gas exploration, including in the Barents Sea. Several environmental groups and sustainable finance advocates welcomed the EU position.