Norway orders oil employees back to work

The Norwegian government ordered an end to a labour dispute involving offshore oil workers that threatened to stop production by the world’s third-largest oil exporter.

The order came a day after the oil industry prepared for a lockout next week of oil workers not already on strike, which the government said would shut down crucial exports of oil and natural gas and threaten gas supplies.

In a statement, the Norwegian government said it was ordering binding arbitration because the strike and lockout would have serious consequences for the nation’s economy and reputation as a reliable supplier of petroleum.

Under Norwegian law, strikers are required to return to work and the employers must call off the planned lockout.

A state arbitrator will then settle a new contract because the sides had failed to do so on their own.

Production was expected to return to normal tomorrow. Norway produces three million barrels of oil per day.