The Norwegian government said oil production in June was below expectations because of technical issues at some offshore fields. File Photo by A.J. Sisco/UPI. July 11 (UPI) — The Norwegian government said Wednesday that technical problems at offshore fields mean oil production was about 4 percent below expectations. Norway derives much of its own power from renewable resources, sending nearly all of its offshore oil and natural gas production to the European market. That makes Norway an important producer for a European economy trying to break the Russian grip on the regional energy sector. If Norway were a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, it would be the seventh-largest producer behind Nigeria. The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate, the nation’s energy regulator, reported total production for oil in June averaged 1.48 million barrels per day. "Oil production is approximately 3 percent lower than the NPD’s forecast, and about 4 […]