• The audit was conducted between 1 and 7 December 2025.
  • The order was notified on 7 April 2026.
  • The order was issued on 28 April 2026.

Objective

The objective of the audit was to verify that Equinor’s management and follow-up of materials handling, including maintenance of lifting equipment, complied with the company’s and the authorities’ requirements,

Result

The audit identified five non-conformities in the following areas:

  • Deficient materials handling and materials handling plan
  • Design of transport routes for forklifts
  • Hose station with pinch hazard
  • Ladder without resting platform
  • Insufficient information concerning condition and impairments in the lifting equipment

We also observed one factor that we have chosen to categorise as an improvement point. This concerned:

  • Inadequate monitoring of the management system for materials handling and the safe use of lifting equipment

Order

The inspection revealed a serious non-conformity related to materials handling; see section 5.1.1 of the report.

Accordingly, we have issued Equinor with the following order:

Pursuant to the Framework Regulations, section 69 concerning administrative decisions, with reference to the Facilities Regulations, section 82(2), referring to the Facilities Regulations (2012), section 13(1) concerning materials handling and transport routes, access and evacuation routes, as well as the Activities Regulations, section 20(2b) concerning the start-up and operation of facilities and the Management Regulations, sections 15(1) and 15(2) concerning information, Equinor is ordered to:

  1. Develop a time-delimited and binding schedule that describes the actions Equinor shall undertake to comply with items 2, 3 and 4 of the order by the deadline. The schedule shall be submitted to Havtil.

  2. Prepare a written overview of existing solutions and practices for materials handling at Martin Linge A, including an assessment of whether materials handling is carried out in an efficient and safe manner.

  3. Based on the overview and evaluation in item 2 of the order: Assess and qualify methods and take the necessary measures to ensure that materials handling can be carried out in an efficient and safe manner on Martin Linge A, and then make the necessary updates to the governing documents for materials handling on the facility.

  4. Implement activities to ensure that relevant, up-to-date governing documents (see item 3 of the order), including the materials handling plan, are made known to relevant personnel involved in the planning and execution of materials handling both in the onshore organisation and on board Martin Linge A.

The deadline for complying with item 1 of the order is 1 June 2026.

The deadline for complying with items 2, 3 and 4 of the order is 1 June 2027.

We are to be notified when the order has been carried out.