Norway's Energy Minister, Terje Aasland, has reaffirmed the country's commitment to oil and gas production by announcing the reopening of three gasfields—Albuskjell, Vest Ekofisk, and Tommeliten Gamma—by the end of 2028. This decision, made in response to the energy shortfall caused by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and disruptions in Middle Eastern supplies, aims to maintain Norway's production levels of approximately 2 million barrels of oil daily. The Norwegian Offshore Directorate anticipates that the number of operational offshore oilfields will exceed 100 within two years. However, the announcement has drawn criticism from environmental advocates and political parties, who accuse the government of ignoring expert advice and engaging in 'greenwashing'. The Norwegian energy company Equinor, which is 67% state-owned, plans to invest $6 billion annually until 2035 to sustain its production levels. Aasland emphasized the importance of energy security for Europe and job stability for the 210,000 individuals employed in the energy sector, highlighting Norway's role as a reliable supplier amidst changing energy demands.