On Friday, 4 September 2026, a gas leak occurred in the Heidrun field, where Equinor is the operator. The incident led to the shutdown of production, along with associated pressure relief and personnel mustering.

The leak was triggered by the rupturing of a temporarily connected hose (loose high-pressure hose). The hose had been installed for use in pressure monitoring in connection with turnaround preparations. The leak that occurred involved a pressure of 136 bar.

Havtil has launched an investigation into the incident. The investigation is ongoing, but we have so far uncovered deficiencies in the maintenance of hoses onboard the Heidrun facility.

Deficiencies in hose maintenance

Our observations on the facility have revealed shortcomings in the marking and registration of various types of hoses. Based on interviews, an on-site inspection of the facility and random checks in the ONIX support tool, we have ascertained that there is no comprehensive overview of all the hoses on board, and the registration of hoses in ONIX has not yet been completed.

An incomplete inventory of the hoses also results in an incomplete overview of which hoses are covered by the inspection programme and, if so, whether the inspection programme has been followed as intended.

The identified deficiencies in hose maintenance mean that it cannot be ensured that the hoses are capable of performing their required functions; cf. Section 45 of the Activities Regulations concerning maintenance.

If hoses that do not meet the required technical integrity standards are used, this may pose a risk of external leakage of substances such as hydrocarbons, as well as a risk of personal injury, depending on the specific activity being carried out.

Order

Accordingly, Havtil has issued Equinor with the following order:

Pursuant to the Framework Regulations, Section 69 concerning administrative decisions, with reference to the Activities Regulations, Section 45 concerning maintenance, Equinor is ordered to:

Implement measures to ensure that all loose hoses on Heidrun that could pose a risk of accidental discharges or personal injury have the necessary technical integrity to perform their required functions.

The measures described above must be implemented immediately with regard to loose hoses that are already in use.

As regards loose hoses that are not in use, the measures described must be implemented in all cases before the hoses are taken into use, and by no later than 13 November 2026 at the latest.

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