Equinor accused of ‘extensive and long-term pollution’ caused by years of inadequate maintenance
Norway’s national oil company, Equinor, is facing a £53m penalty for oil spills and gas leaks at the oil-rich Scandinavian state’s only refinery, which officials said were the result of years of inadequate maintenance.
Norway’s economic crime agency, Økokrim, said it had taken action against Equinor over “extensive and long-term pollution” at the refinery in Mongstad, on Norway’s North Sea coast.
The penalty consists of a fine of 220m kroner (£16m), in addition to a confiscation order of 500m kroner (£37m).
“Økokrim takes the matter very seriously, which is reflected in the size of the fine,” the agency said in a statement. “The confiscation amount is the highest ever, and the fine the second highest ever for a Norwegian company.”
