Drones have apparently entered safety zones of several oil platforms more often recently. The Norwegian regulatory authority is now issuing an official warning. The Norwegian Oil Production Regulatory Authority has issued a warning about unidentified flying objects. Operators of oil rigs off the Norwegian coast are reported to have recently sighted several drones or other flying objects in safety zones, according to a statement from Petroleumstilsynet (PTIL).
Safety zones of 500 meters above, around and in the water exist for each of the rigs on the Norwegian continental shelf. Only aircraft or vehicles with permission are allowed to enter these. Apparently, this regulation has now been disregarded several times. The police are investigating, the statement says. At the rigs, drones could collide with helicopters operating there, PTIL warns. Also, aircraft without a special license could trigger explosions or collide with the oil rig, possibly even intentionally.
Norwegian oil rig operator Equinor had notified police this month of drone activity at at least three of its rigs, Norwegian online magazine Aldri Mer reported in mid-September. Flights by unknown objects had also been observed later. Among other places, the Johan Sverdrup, Gullfaks C and Snorre A oil fields were said to be affected.
Apparently, no serious incidents occurred. There is now speculation in the Norwegian media about the motives for the drone flights on oil rigs. Possibly they served to gather information, for example, for sabotage operations. According to vg.no, Norwegian military expert Lars Peder Haga argues that such reconnaissance flights in daylight so close to the drilling platforms appear amateurish.
https://www.heise.de/news/Norwegisch...n-7276936.html