Norwegian government rebuked over decision to reopen North Sea gas fields

Ministers also approve exploration in 70 new areas of country’s waters, prompting accusations of madness and greenwashing

The Norwegian government has been heavily criticism for approving plans to reopen three North Sea gas fields nearly three decades after they were closed to help fill the gap in energy supplies created by the Middle East war.

Amid sharp price rises in oil and gas since the US and Israel’s attack on Iran in February, Oslo has also given its approval for oil and gas companies to explore in 70 new locations in the North Sea, Barents Sea and Norwegian Sea.