Environment

Pollution to air from Vår Energi’s operations primarily stems from fuel consumption for power generation (engines and turbines) and non-methane Volatile Organic Carbon (nmVOC) from loading and storage of crude oil. The main source of pollution to water includes produced water discharge (oil and chemicals) and discharges from drilling operations (chemicals).  

Through the Environment Policy Vår Energi is committed to systematically and continuously eliminate, reduce or minimise its material planned and accidental discharges and hazardous contaminants (pollution) to protect the environment, using Best Available Techniques (BAT) and adhering to industry standards.

The Environment Policy also includes measures to reduce hazardous contaminants in discharges and selecting and substituting chemicals to minimise environmental impacts. 

Our oil and gas operations are carried out offshore on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) and has the potential to disrupt benthic habitats and ecosystems and may be the source of pressures on the environment with direct, indirect, and cumulative negative impacts on biodiversity. Discharges, spills and leaks may result in contamination, contributing to degradation of biodiversity and ecosystems. 

In the Environment Policy, Vår Energi commits to considering biodiversity in planning, avoiding operating in areas with the highest biodiversity value, and working towards no net loss or a net positive impact on biodiversity from our operations.

The Policy also recognises the goals of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and respects the legally designated and protected areas outlined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), UNESCO and Ramsar-convention. 

Vår Energi follows the regulations from Norwegian authorities, which are permitting activities in marine areas based on laws and regulations such as the Environment Information Act, the Pollution Act, and the Activity Regulation, as well as a Comprehensive Management Plan for Norwegian Marine Areas.  

Our activities generate both non-hazardous and hazardous waste. If not properly managed, this may contaminate surface water, groundwater or seawater with chemicals or heavy metals, and may negatively impact plant and animal species as well as human health.

Vår Energi’s Environment Policy outlines our commitment to reduce waste volumes, and transitioning away from use of virgin resources, including relative increases in use of secondary (recycled) resources, sustainable sourcing and use of renewable resources.  

Vår Energi’s waste management for operations is governed by the Pollution Control Act and the Activities Regulations.

We follow national waste regulations and industry standards for efficient waste management based on the waste management hierarchy of prevention, reuse, recycling, energy recovery and disposal to prevent or mitigate potential negative impacts.  

Seawater is used for cooling in production and drilling operations, and to generate freshwater used for sanitation, cooking and drinking offshore. Some fresh water is also supplied from shore.

This comes from local Norwegian water works that are shared with other domestic users and industries. Vår Energi ensures it is not from water-scarce areas by using WRI Aqueduct. 

Identification of water risk and water resource management is an integral part of the environmental management system, and based on identification, evaluation, and mitigation of impact on water resources.

We have no operations in areas with increased overall water risk, but is still is committed through the Environment Policy to reduce material water withdrawals, consumption and discharges. 

Water related metrics are available in the ESG data site.