On New Year’s Eve 2024, Equinor released 75,000 liters of crude oil into the sea, causing a major environmental disaster that now threatens vulnerable coastal areas along Trøndelag and Helgeland in Norway. The oil spill originated from Equinor’s Njord A platform in the Norwegian Sea.
According to Equinor’s own reports, 150 cubic meters of produced water containing high levels of oil were discharged, half of which was pure crude oil. This is not just a severe violation of environmental regulations—it is a catastrophe for marine life and coastal ecosystems.
Oil spill continues to spread further north
In February the Norwegian Environment Agency raised the alarm after discovering oil clumps on the shores of Frøya in Trøndelag. Additional clumps of oil have since been found along the Trøndelag coast, and the spill continues to spread further north.
The Norwegian Environment Agency confirms that this is the first time crude oil from offshore petroleum operations has reached the Norwegian coastline on such a large scale. The agency says this is a very serious incident, and are worried about nature and the environment if the oil is not removed and cleaned up as soon as possible.
Oil spill could impact seabirds’ breeding season
The spill could devastate coral reefs, kelp forests, and protected coastal areas. Environmental authorities are particularly concerned about the impact on seabirds. The breeding season for many seabirds is fast approaching, and this is a time when the birds are more vulnerable.
Over a long period of time Norway’s seabird population has declined in numbers, and several species are threatened with extinction. Oil pollution is a death sentence for seabirds, as it destroys their feathers and causes poisoning. As temperatures rise, the oil clumps will become stickier and even harder to remove, further worsening the situation for the seabirds and the nature in the surrounding areas.
Equinor has attributed the spill to weather conditions and technical challenges, but that is no excuse. If the platform could not operate without illegal discharges, production should have been halted immediately.
Calls for Legal Action and Environmental Restoration
Greenpeace Norway filed a criminal complaint against Equinor, citing serious environmental crimes and violations of pollution laws. The organisation demands a thorough police investigation into the massive spill and insists that Equinor be held accountable for the damage caused. Additionally, the company should fund ecosystem restoration projects to compensate for the environmental damage caused.
This incident raises concerns about the potential for similar far reaching oil spills in other regions where Equinor seeks to operate or holds drilling licenses, such as Argentina, Brazil, and the United Kingdom. We cannot allow corporations like Equinor to put profits ahead of environmental responsibility. Our oceans, wildlife, and coastline are not their dumping grounds.