Norway's government has used emergency powers to step in and force offshore oil and gas workers back to work ending a 16-day strike. Production was due to be shut down from today with companies set to lock out workers in a dispute over pensions. The Labour Minister Hanne Bjurstroem told newsmen "I had to make this decision to protect Norway's vital interests". She was speaking after a last-ditch effort was made to end the row between energy companies and trade unions.