– It is clear that the situation we are in now means that we must be extra vigilant, says communications director Randi Viksund in Gassco to TV 2.
The state-owned company Gassco is responsible for safe and efficient transport of gas on the Norwegian shelf. TV 2 meets Viksund in the company’s high-tech and top-secret control room on Karmøy.
Here, Gassco monitors the massive Norwegian piping system that delivers gas to Europe. The company confirms that they have now increased their preparedness after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine:
– We build up our security measures precisely by preventing sabotage, Viksund states.
– Gassco is responsible for safe and efficient transport of gas from the Norwegian continental shelf to Europe. Photo: Mathias Kleiveland / TV 2
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Strategic Russian goal
Only Russia exports more gas to Europe than Norway. If the Russians choose to close the taps to avenge EU sanctions, Norwegian gas will be very important for Europe. It will also cause it becomes a goal for Russland, says Ståle Ulriksen, researcher at the Naval Academy.
– If Russia wants to put pressure on Europe, they can do so via Norwegian delivery of oil and gas to Europe. It is not about Russia necessarily hitting Norway, but that we have strategic resources that are important, Ulriksen warns.
On Thursday, he argued that Norway should now take the new threat seriously, and mobilize around our strategic resources. He is not alone in believing that Norwegian natural resources may be under attack.
– Ståle Ulriksen is a researcher at the Naval Academy. Photo: Frode Hoff
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Will protect market share
Jakub Godzimirski has worked with Russia’s foreign and security policy for over 20 years, with particular emphasis on the role of energy resources in Russia’s strategy. He believes Norwegian gas is an obvious target for Russian cyber attacks.
– Norway is a small state compared to Russia, but on the energy side we are just as big, Godzimirski says.
He says that although Norway and Russia have a number of common interests, natural resources also make us direct competitors in the European market.
– Norway must reckon with Russian cyber attacks on oil and gas plants, says NUPI researcher Jakub Godzimirski. Photo: Sveinung Kyte / TV 2
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– Both Norwegian and Russian infrastructure are built so that we can only supply gas to the European market, we have no other market to deal with. In a situation that is as acute as today, one must expect to defend one’s market shares in various ways. Cyber attacks are then something that is definitely in the picture, the researcher believes.
Cyber attacks are also a concern for NATO. They have strengthened their defenses against cyber attacks and provide support to Ukraine. This is what NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says. He says a cyber attack could trigger Article 5.
NATO’s article 5 on an attack on one country in the alliance is an attack on all. This can be triggered by cyber attacks, but NATO is still very focused on avoiding conflict, Stoltenberg said during a press conference on Friday night.
“Cyber attacks can trigger Article 5, but we have never gone into exactly when we can trigger that article,” he said.
Believes Norway has been a victim
The NUPI researcher believes that Norway is already under digital attack.
– There have probably already been many cyber attacks on Norwegian oil and gas installations without it being talked about in the Norwegian media, the researcher states.
Godzimirski points out that part of the challenge with cyber attacks is that it is often difficult to identify who is behind it.
– Gassco delivers gas to Europe through a massive network of pipelines. This is where Norwegian gas comes ashore in Easington. Photo: Frode Hoff
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– But I think the National Security Authority has a good overview of what has happened, and is prepared for the challenges that may arise as a result of the sharpened security situation, says the NUPI researcher.
He believes that Russia has a number of means to use during a potential attack, and that the motivation behind it can be complicated and complex. Cyber attacks can potentially cause physical damage to Norwegian infrastructure, in addition to creating problems for gas delivery.
– Cyber attacks are about both the use of digital tools, to inflict damage, gain access to information, but also to spread information, simply, says Godzimirski.
Gassco is now reviewing the existing safety measures.
– As important as the gas is, it is absolutely crucial that we have good safety systems. We have built up the barriers, Viksund assures.
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