Greenpeace activists climb aboard oil rig in Norwegian Arctic. Left after 16 hours

Greenpeace activists have scaled an oil rig that is due to drill in Norway's most northern well. It comes as Greenpeace prepares to appeal a case it lost to the Norwegian state over environmental violations, reports dw.com.

Four climbers had ascended the oil rig, four people were at the base in kayaks and others were protesting from the shore holding banners saying "ban new oil" and "people versus oil."

"We in Greenpeace, together with another youth NGO, Nature and Youth, are here to protest against new oil drilling, especially from oil fields in the Arctic, which is a vulnerable area," Greenpeace Norway's Communications Manager Aud Hegli Nordo told DW.

The activists hailed from Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Germany.

The West Hercules oil rig is currently anchored off the Norwegian town Hammerfest, continental Europe's northernmost town, and has been commissioned by Norwegian multinational energy giant Equinor to drill at the site of its liquefied natural gas plant, Snoehvit.

Morten Eek, a communication manager at Equinor, told dw.com Equinor respected Greenpeace's right to protest, but said there will always be a need for oil and gas.

The activitsts left the oil rig after 16 hours due to weather conditions.