Norway gas fields closed since 1998 will be brought back into production after the government approved new development plans in the North Sea, linking the decision to Europe’s energy security, high geopolitical uncertainty and the need to sustain Norwegian jobs and welfare.
Old North Sea gas fields will return by 2028
The Norwegian government has approved the redevelopment of Albuskjell, Vest Ekofisk and Tommeliten Gamma, three gas fields in the southern North Sea that have been out of production for almost three decades. The fields, all connected to the wider Ekofisk area, were originally developed between the late 1970s and the 1980s and were shut down in 1998.
The new plan involves investments of around NOK 19 billion — approximately €1.7 billion — to restart production by the end of 2028. The fields are expected to remain active until 2048. According to Norwegian public broadcaster NRK, the project could recover between 90 and 120 million barrels of oil equivalent, mainly gas, with some condensate.
The gas is expected to be transported by pipeline to Germany, while condensate will be sent to the United Kingdom. The government says the redevelopment will support activity in the petroleum sector and generate about 7,600 full-time equivalent jobs over the lifetime of the fields.
Norway gas fields become part of Europe’s energy security debate
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Minister of Energy Terje Aasland presented the decision in Stavanger, Norway’s main oil and gas hub. The government framed the move as a response to an unstable international situation, citing Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, conflicts in the Middle East and pressure on oil and gas markets.
Aasland said that Norwegian oil and gas production remains an important contribution to European energy security. Norway has become one of Europe’s most important gas suppliers since the EU sharply reduced its dependence on Russian pipeline gas after 2022.
The decision also reflects a longer-term concern inside Norway’s petroleum sector: production from mature offshore areas is expected to decline without new investment. The government argues that reopening existing fields close to infrastructure can help maintain stable supplies while Europe continues its energy transition.
New exploration areas move unusually close to the coast
At the same time, the government has opened a new round of exploration in 70 offshore blocks across the Norwegian continental shelf. The areas include 38 blocks in the Barents Sea, 10 in the Norwegian Sea and 22 in the North Sea.
The exploration round has drawn particular attention because some of the areas are closer to the coast than previous licensing rounds. NRK reported that Norway has never before opened exploration opportunities so close to the shoreline. The Norwegian Environment Agency (Miljødirektoratet) had warned against parts of the proposal, citing risks linked to possible activity in coastal and vulnerable marine areas.
Companies have until 1 September 2026 to apply for exploration rights. Awards are expected in early 2027. The government says each licence will be assessed individually and that safety and environmental concerns will be considered during the approval process.
Opposition parties call the decision a climate setback
The decision has triggered strong criticism from several Norwegian opposition parties and environmental organisations. Lars Haltbrekken, environmental policy spokesperson for the Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti, SV), called the move “madness” and accused the government of disregarding advice from its own environmental experts.
The Green Party (Miljøpartiet De Grønne, MDG) described the new exploration areas as a major climate and nature setback. Red Party (Rødt) deputy leader Sofie Marhaug also criticised the government for allowing possible exploration in coastal areas despite the warnings.
Environmental groups, including Zero, Nature and Youth (Natur og Ungdom) and Greenpeace Norway, argued that expanding fossil fuel exploration conflicts with the need to reduce dependence on oil and gas. Their criticism focuses not only on climate emissions, but also on the risk that new infrastructure could prolong Norway’s petroleum model for decades.
A Nordic energy dilemma between gas exports and climate goals
Norway’s decision illustrates a central tension in Nordic and European energy policy. The country presents itself as a reliable energy partner for Europe while also committing to climate targets and green transition policies. The government says Norwegian production has a relatively low emissions footprint and that producers must reduce emissions from extraction.
Critics argue that the main climate impact comes from the continued use of fossil fuels, not only from production emissions. This debate is likely to intensify as Europe seeks to balance energy security, industrial competitiveness and climate commitments.
For Norway, the reopened gas fields could strengthen its role as a long-term supplier to Europe. At the same time, the decision deepens a political divide over whether the country’s petroleum sector should be extended, reduced or redirected toward a faster transition.
