Norway suggests European cooperation to fight energy crisis

Norwegian Minister of Petroleum and Energy Terje Aasland called for cooperation on Aug. 30 against the energy crunch and stressed that Norway will continue to be a long-term and reliable partner for Europe.

Speaking at the ONS 2022 energy conference in Norway's Stavanger city, the minister said that there is a major energy crisis in Europe, Anadolu Agency informs. 

"The world needs energy. We should turn to various sources," he said.

Stressing that hydrogen production is important in the long-term, Aasland said that offshore wind and renewable energy production is also important, and should be increased.

He said that Norway will continue to be a reliable partner, and this applies to renewable energy, natural gas, and oil.

Emphasizing that European countries should act together for a reliable future, Aasland said that cooperation is extremely important.

Lorenzo Simonelli, CEO and Chairman of the oilfield services company Baker Hughes, said that there are problems of security, sustainability, and access to energy and that this can be solved through cooperation.

He said that the use of hydrocarbons will continue, and is important.

"Energy is good, emissions are bad. But we cannot clean up by removing hydrocarbons from our lives. Technology comes into play here. We have to use technology. We can find solutions with better equipment, more dedicated work, and digital applications," he explained.

Referring to the need to increase efficiency in hydrocarbon resources, Simonelli pointed to the floods in Pakistan and the drought in China.

Climate change is a reality, and steps should be taken accordingly for energy efficiency and clean energy, he said, adding that resources such as hydrogen are extremely important.