UK signs deal with North Sea countries to protect subsea electricity and oil pipelines

The UK has signed an agreement with Norway and four other North Sea countries to protect critical energy and telecommunications infrastructure that lies under the sea.

Recent damage to energy pipelines and subsea fibre optic cables has led to an increased focus on making sure the critical infrastructure is secure.

Over the last few months, the Houthis in Yemen have threatened to sabotage crucial undersea communication cables, including internet lines, that run under the Red Sea. In September 2022, a series of underwater explosions on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines caused gas to leak into the surrounding waters. The pipelines were designed to transport natural gas from Russia to Europe, although that trade had ceased several months prior due to the conflict in Ukraine.

The North Sea in particular is home to a significant amount of critical infrastructure including gas and oil pipelines, electricity transmission cables and offshore wind installations.

The subsea infrastructure in the North Sea is interconnected across national borders, therefore a joint initiative for safety and protection is needed.

Alongside the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany and Norway have all signed the joint declaration to protect the infrastructure.

Last year, the UK and the Netherlands agreed to build a cross-border electricity line  under the North Sea, which is designed to boost both countries’ energy security. A recent report also warned that the volume of CO2 that will need to be injected into the North Sea by 2050 to meet climate commitments will require vast infrastructure investments  to achieve.

Norwegian energy minister Terje Aasland said: “We have a common interest with our neighbours around the North Sea basin to secure critical infrastructure. This is essential both for energy security and resilience, and to ensure the safety of those working offshore. This joint declaration is an important foundation for ensuring safety and is a clear example that we have common goals.”

Karianne Tung, Norwegian minister of digitalisation, said: “Through cooperation, we will secure the digital infrastructure in the North Sea.

“The submarine fibre cables are crucial for internet traffic between Norway and other countries, and I am pleased that we, together with five other countries, are now further protecting this. It is important for our interests, energy production and maritime activities that we safeguard this infrastructure.”

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