Økokrim Seeks 720 Million Kroner From Equinor, Which Admits Guilt on One Count

Norwegian economic crime prosecutors are seeking 720 million kroner from Equinor over pollution at the Mongstad oil refinery near Bergen. The demand combines a 220 million kroner fine with the confiscation of 500 million kroner that Økokrim says the company saved through inadequate maintenance.

The trial opened in Hordaland District Court and is expected to last 31 days. The alleged pollution incidents took place between 2016 and 2021. Økokrim says they resulted from years of insufficient maintenance. If imposed, the fine would be the second-highest ever given to a Norwegian company.

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The case is an example of environmental crime also being economic crime, because the financial savings have led to consequences for the environment.

The case includes five alleged leaks as well as the maintenance accusations. Equinor pleaded guilty to one count involving the release of about 78,000 liters of naphtha during loading onto a ship at Mongstad. Part of the substance entered the sea. “The barrier that was supposed to prevent the release failed. We plead guilty to that,” Equinor lawyer Christian Hjort said.

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The barrier that was supposed to prevent the release failed. We plead guilty to that.

The company pleaded not guilty to the remaining counts. One allegation has also changed since the original indictment. Økokrim initially said a July 2021 failure released a 40-ton toxic gas cloud containing, among other substances, highly poisonous hydrogen sulfide. Prosecutors said the cloud could have caused fatal injuries to several employees and that only chance prevented harm.

Økokrim now says excessive pressure created a risk that gas could escape from the tank into the air. Prosecutor Maria Bache Dahl said the charge changed after Equinor withdrew earlier conclusions about the size of the release. The original case relied on the company’s internal investigation, but Equinor now argues that the alleged 40-ton release is not sufficiently documented for a criminal case. Dahl said both sides nevertheless agree that an incident involving a potential gas release occurred.

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We have agreed that the investigation report does not prove beyond reasonable doubt that the release was 40 tonnes with a lethal concentration of hydrogen sulfide. This concerns the strict standard of proof in criminal cases.