A $70-billion natural gas deal was threatened.

The deal, to develop the North Sea Troll and Sleipner fields and build a pipeline from the North Sea to Belgium, would turn Norway into Western Europe’s largest gas supplier by the end of this century, providing 25% of its needs. The Norwegian selling group reached agreement earlier this year with gas buyers from West Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and France to develop the fields. However, France has refused to give official approval. Without French participation, only the smaller Sleipner gas field would be developed, Norwegian oil industry officials say. A French official said talks between the two countries will continue.