Equinor controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2026
Equinor warns it may stop investing in the UK if Rosebank and Jackdaw fields are not approved
Company response
Equinor warned that it may shun further investments in the UK if the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas fields are not granted final approval, with chief executive Anders Opedal saying the company would 'have to take a hard view' about future UK investment if a decision was made to reject new drilling. The warning came as the UK government is set to decide on final approval for the fields, whose earlier consents were delayed by a Scottish court ruling after environmental groups argued consent was given without fully considering the climate impact.
Company response
Clarification — Equinor
He told the BBC the company would "have to take a hard view about it" if a decision was made to reject new drilling.
Source excerpt
"The question will be: is the UK investable in the future? I hope it will not come to that," said Anders Opedal, boss of the Norwegian state oil company which is part owner of the sites.
Both Rosebank and Jackdaw were initially given the go-ahead by the former Conservative government but were delayed by a legal ruling from a Scottish court, after environmental groups argued consent was given without fully considering the climate impact.
The warning comes as the UK government is set to decide whether or not to grant final approval to extract oil and gas at Rosebank and Jackdaw.
2011
Consulting-contract investigation
A Statoil consultant and others were tried in Norway in a case concerning alleged improper benefits and contracts.
2003
Statoil-Horton corruption case
Statoil’s engagement of an Iranian consultancy connected to efforts to obtain contracts led to corruption investigations and later U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act penalties.
1987
Mongstad scandal
Cost and project problems at Mongstad triggered intense political scrutiny and the resignation of Statoil chief executive Arve Johnsen.
Climate-emissions criticism
Environmental groups and climate researchers have criticized the company’s cumulative greenhouse-gas contribution and its continued investment in oil and gas while presenting itself as an energy-transition company.