Mapping and collection of oil clumps in all prioritized areas has been completed. The field operation is planned to be concluded by 1 October 2025. A plan for inspection and verification activities for spring 2026 is under preparation.
Equinor's internal investigation of the accidental oil spill from Njord A has several important lessons. The investigation report states that the incident could not have developed into a major accident. There is no documented oil-damaged wildlife or other environmental damage following the spill. Mapping and collection of oil clumps in all prioritized areas has been completed.
The investigation report addresses the incident on board Njord A on 31 December 2024 and the period of time leading up to 18 February, when the Norwegian Coastal Administration informed Equinor about oil clumps found on Frøya.
The objective of the investigation has been to map the causes of the incident, the course of actions and underlying factors which ultimately allowed the accidental discharge to occur.
When the incident occurred, Equinor stepped up responsibly and has devoted significant resources to clean-up efforts. The incident was taken very seriously, and Equinor has worked systematically to handle the situation and minimise environmental impact from the accidental discharge.
There are no documentation of damage to the environment, or of birds or marine mammals that have been harmed by the oil. Our focus is now aimed at ensuring that this kind of discharge does not happen again, and the investigation report provides an important contribution to these efforts.
The most important cause of the oil discharge was a technical problem in a control system that failed to register the correct level between water and oil in a separator. This resulted in the failure to sound an alarm in the control room. A valve that could have stopped the discharge was not closed automatically, which thus allowed oily water to run into the sea.
The reason that the oil actually reached land is complex. The report reveals several involved factors, including an unclear understanding of the situation and mobilisation of response efforts, as well as deficient understanding of the type of oil and how it would respond.
When it is cooled, the Fenja oil, which accounted for the majority of the discharge to sea, breaks down into waxy clumps and only to a lesser extent creates waves that can be spotted by vessels and satellites.
The investigation report highlights important takeaways. These include identifying equipment in “manual” status in control systems, calibration and verification of level transmitters, follow-up of changes in technical facilities after modifications, use of oil-in-water analysers, as well as procedures for using AIS buoys (Automatic Identification System) in search and rescue helicopters.
The report has also identified a need to update plans, competence and roles linked to oil spill response on the Norwegian continental shelf, as well as a need to improve situational awareness, systematic monitoring and calculation of oil discharge drift paths.
The incident is classified at the highest degree of severity – Red 1, which means material damage and financial loss. The environmental impact is assessed as moderate (yellow area).
The incident is also being investigated by the Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority.