The Norwegian government has resolved to impose compulsory arbitration on the industrial dispute between two offshore unions and the Norwegian Oil Industry Association (OLF).
A Bill to implement this decision by the Council of State today, Friday 25 June, puts an immediate end to the week-long stoppage which has affected parts of the Norwegian continental shelf.
The striking members of the two unions involved, the Federation of Oil Workers Trade Unions (OFS) and the Norwegian Association for Supervisors, must now return to work.
Their action had halted production from Statoilâs Snorre A and B platforms and the Vigdis field, which is tied back to the two installations in the Tampen area of the North Sea.
The work of mobilising personnel will begin at once, reports Arne Cock, operations vice president for Snorre.
âWe expect to get out about 275 people over the weekend, so that weâll already be back to full staffing next week.â
He adds that the fields are likely to be returned to normal production during the course of Saturday and Sunday.