Equinor to Establish New Emergency Preparedness System in Barents Sea

Equinor, in collaboration with Vår Energi, is set to implement a new area-wide emergency preparedness system for the southwestern Barents Sea, scheduled to be operational starting on the first of next year.

The initiative, approved by the Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority, aims to enhance safety and emergency response capabilities in the region.

The new system will complement the existing emergency preparedness measures established by Vår Energi for the Goliat field, located in the Norwegian sector of the Barents Sea. It is designed to address the unique challenges of the region, including long distances, harsh weather conditions, and important natural resources.

The system is expected to improve safety and emergency preparedness for fisheries and other sea users in the area, and also allows for resource sharing and potential future expansion to include other companies.

The new system will incorporate several key components to enhance safety and response capabilities in the region. These include an S-92 “all weather search and rescue” (AWSAR) helicopter based at Hammerfest Airport, providing rapid air support when needed. Additionally, three emergency response and rescue vessels equipped with oil spill response capabilities will be deployed to address potential maritime incidents.

An illustration of Equinor’s area-wide emergency preparedness system, which will include search and rescue helicopters, well-equipped area emergency response and rescue vessels, and a maritime monitoring center. Image courtesy Equinor

Equinor also plans to introduce a new, advanced emergency response and rescue vessel with inspection, maintenance, and repair capabilities. To ensure comprehensive coverage, the system will feature continuous ocean and ice monitoring, allowing for real-time assessment of environmental conditions.

Overseeing the operations will be Equinor’s operations center in Bergen, providing round-the-clock monitoring and coordination for all emergency response activities in the southwestern Barents Sea.

The development comes as Equinor prepares for increased activity in the north, with the Johan Castberg field due to come on stream later this year.

Security services from seven European countries, including Norway, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, and Iceland, held a closed-door meeting on Monday to brief Norwegian energy executives and officials about potential Russian threats to critical infrastructure. The meeting, which included representatives from Equinor, Europe’s largest gas supplier, emphasized Norway’s crucial role as a key energy supplier to Europe.

The briefing underscored the growing concern over the security of energy infrastructure in the region, particularly in light of Norway’s increased importance as a natural gas supplier to Europe following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.