- Notification of the order and the order itself were issued on 28 November 2025
On 29 October 2025, a serious adverse incident occurred at Mongstad when two people were subjected to a high level of chemical exposure during a filling operation involving reformate/naphtha (a chemical mixture containing carcinogenic components, including benzene).
The incident was first reported to Havtil on 19 November 2025.
After we were notified of the incident, we worked to obtain an overview of what happened and of Equinor’s handling of the situation. In this context, we also received information about the handling of methanol in the same type of work operation.
The incident and the causal factors that have now been revealed show that there is an immediate and real risk to life and health associated with the handling of methanol at Mongstad.
Havtil takes a very serious view of what has occurred and has now ordered Equinor to suspend activities.
Decision on order to halt activities
Pursuant to the Working Environment Act, section 18-8(2) (with reference to the Working Environment Act, section 18-6, and the Framework Regulations, section 69 concerning administrative decisions), we hereby issue the following order:
Equinor Mongstad is to halt all handling of methanol in connection with the filling/refilling of transmitters at Mongstad, until the following have been completed:
- A risk assessment has been prepared and measures implemented so that the specific risks associated with the handling of methanol in connection with the filling/refilling of transmitters at Mongstad are addressed, with reference to the Technical and Operational Regulations, section 29, concerning hazardous materials and explosives, first and third paragraphs, and section 48, concerning the physical and chemical working environment, third paragraph.
- Written instructions have been prepared on how the activity mentioned above is to be carried out and which safety measures are to be implemented, with reference to the Working Environment Act, section 3-2(3), and the Technical and Operational Regulations, section 29, concerning hazardous materials and explosives, first and third paragraphs, and section 48, concerning the physical and chemical working environment, third paragraph.
Activities that have been halted cannot be resumed until Havtil has received documentation showing that the measures in items 1 and 2 have been carried out and Havtil has reported back to Equinor Mongstad that activities may be resumed.