Norway has moved to prevent strikes that would have put Britain's gas supplies at risk.

The Norwegian Government halted the industrial action, ending a stalemate that could have worsened Europe's energy-supply crunch.

The Telegraph says the Sleipner field, a key distribution point for gas exports to the UK, was at risk of being shut down at the weekend owing to a dispute over pay.

Norwegian oil and gas workers had already closed three fields by Monday and three more were expected to follow yesterday, affecting about 13% of Norway's total gas exports.

A further three fields, including Sleipner, were due to shut on Saturday.

"Workers are going back to work as soon as possible. We are cancelling the planned escalation," said Lederne union leader Audun Ingvartsen.

Asked whether the strike was over, he said: "Yes".

The labour ministry separately confirmed it had exercised its right to intervene.

Vital role

"Norway plays a vital role in supplying gas to Europe, and the planned escalation (of the strike) would have had serious consequences, for Britain, Germany and other nations," said Labour Minister Marte Mjoes Persen.

Norwegian gas arrives in Britain at two terminals - Easington in Yorkshire and St Fergus.

It was Saturday's planned strike that would have affected UK supplies as it would have temporarily closed the Sleipner field.

Norwegian-state owned Gassco told the BBC that, in a worst-case scenario, from this Saturday there would have been zero deliveries to Easington.

Norway is the UK's largest gas supplier, providing 32billion cubic metres (bcm) of the 76bcm of gas consumed by the UK last year, with demand strongest in winter.


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