Equinor shuts in four North Sea fields on strike action

Norwegian state-controlled Equinor has shut oil and gas production from four of its offshore fields in Norway as a result of escalated strike action by the Lederne trade union.

The firm said it has conducted a "controlled closure" of the Gudrun, Gina Krog and Kvitebjorn fields, along with Kvitebjorn's satellite Valemon, after 54 Lederne members downed tools. Workers stepped up strike action from midnight following a breakdown in pay talks last week. Production is unaffected at the Johan Sverdrup field, although 43 Lederne members have been on strike there since 30 September.

The Norwegian Oil and Gas Association (Noga) said last week that in addition to the four Equinor-operated fields, the latest walkout will also affect the Gjoa field, operated by the UK's Neptune Energy, and its satelitte Vega, with is operated by Germany's Wintershall Dea.

The six fields produce a combined 330,000 b/d of oil equivalent (boe/d), around 8pc of total Norwegian oil and gas production, Noga said.

By Rowena Edwards