Equinor, Norway’s state-owned oil giant and largest operator on its continental shelf, cynically promotes itself as sustainable while aggressively expanding fossil fuel extraction. The company has been exposed for misleading claims about the effectiveness of its carbon capture technology. Additionally, the UK Advertising Regulator banned its greenwashing ads for misrepresenting the share of renewables in its energy mix. Its net-zero pledge rings hollow as it launches new Arctic drilling at Johan Castberg and pursues the ecologically catastrophic Wisting field, while conducting risky deep-sea exploration in Argentina’s vulnerable waters and ignoring indigenous impacts in Canada’s Bay DuNord project.

Equinor’s partnership with Ithaca energy on the Rosebank field has drawn criticism due to Ithaca’s majority owner Delek group being listed on a UN database of companies operating in Israel’s West Bank settlements, considered illegal under international law. Delek group has come under further scrutiny of late due to its links to the Israeli military, with the company being accused of providing fuel for genocidal operations in Gaza. This partnership with Ithaca makes Equinor not only complicit in the destruction of the planet, but also the genocide of Palestinians.

Case Study – Carbon Bomb – Rosebank

Rosebank will exacerbate climate-related catastrophes, because it represents an expansion of the fossil fuel industry. It’s the largest undeveloped oil and gas field in the North Sea, estimated to contain approximately 500 million barrels of oil equivalent according to Rystad Energy data. Its emissions would be more than the combined emissions of all low income countries in the world. 

In 2021, the International Energy Agency stated there is “no need for investment in new fossil fuel supply in our net zero pathway”. Developing a massive new field like Rosebank is clearly incompatible with limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5C.