Safe Union Agrees on Solution to Avoid Norwegian Continental Shelf Strike

After weeks of negotiations, the Norwegian Union of Energy Workers (Safe) agreed on a solution on Thursday. As such, the ExxonMobil strike has been called off.  

“We are pleased that the Norwegian Union of Energy Workers (Safe) has chosen to accept the National Mediator’s proposed solution for the offshore agreements,” Jan Hodneland, chief negotiator at Norwegian Oil and Gas, commented in a note released in the evening.  

The solution proposed by the National Mediator Wenche Elizabeth Arntzen has been accepted by the Norwegian Organisation of Managers and Executives last week. Safe was give until 12:00 on Friday 27 to consider the proposal.

Norway intends on taking advantage of the current situation. The country had to avoid a strike in order to maintain its credibility and image. 

Statoil already said that it could increase gas supplies to the European Union, but not enough to replace Russian gas. 

Oslo’s plans are more complex than simple increased exports. Statoil is soon opening a new office in Berlin to coordinate activities in Continental Europe, while the Norwegian government openly admitted that it wants to increase clout in Europe. It said it wants to take a more active role in European policy.