<article><p><i>Includes information from the security union and details on a potential Schlumberger strike</i></p><p class="lead">Industrial action could close more Norwegian oil and gas fields, with the country's security personnel union preparing to ramp up strikes at heliports used for transportation to offshore platforms.</p><p>The heliport strikes from midnight local time tonight could begin to constrain Norwegian gas production "in one or two weeks", the Norwegian Oil and Gas Association (Noga) told<i> Argus</i>. </p><p>Industrial action is already planned at the <a href="https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2163656">Nyhamna</a> gas processing plant from tomorrow. </p><p>The shutdown at Nyhamna — which processes supply from the Aasta Hansteen and Ormen Lange fields — is expected to have a "volume impact" of 50mn m³ tomorrow, offshore system operator Gassco said this morning. The duration of the action is unknown. </p><p>Two heliports — Bronnoysund and Floro — are already closed, while Flesland and Kristiansund are working at reduced capacity, the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO) told <i>Argus</i>. And Stavanger will have reduced capacity from tomorrow, while Kristiansund's capacity will be cut further, LO said. </p><p>No strikes are planned at the remaining heliport at the 4.2mn t/yr Hammerfest LNG export facility. This heliport services the Snohvit gas field and the Goliat oil field. Snohvit exclusively supplies Hammerfest, which has been off line since 28 September following a fire. The outage is expected to last for up to <a href="https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2153569">12 months</a>. </p><p>Industrial action at heliports could result in a "tsunami of closures at Norway's oil and gas fields", Noga told <i>Argus</i>. It is unclear how many fields could be affected. </p><p>Helicopter is the preferred mode of transport to Norway's offshore platforms during winter as harsh storms can cause inclement sailing conditions, Noga told <i>Argus</i>. And platform workers are currently exclusively using helicopters because of Covid-19 social-distancing requirements, with boats only being used for supplies, Noga said. </p><p>It is also possible that some rig workers will not be able to return to land if strikes ramp up further, Noga said. </p><p>Union strikes are also planned at supply bases for offshore platforms, which could impact transportation of food and supplies to workers, Noga said. </p><p>The security union strikes have been under way for about 10 weeks, but up to this point have primarily affected commercial retail businesses. </p><p>In addition, Norwegian platform workers employed by US oil service firm Schlumberger plan to strike from 3 December if salary negotiations are not resolved, with 262 workers expected to walk out. But this is only expected to affect drilling operations, rather than production.</p><p class="bylines"><i>By Elaine Atwood</i></p></article>
