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 critical biodiversity areas, and working towards no net loss or a net positive impact on biodiversity from our operations, and avoiding deforestation.

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.  

Vår Energi uses seawater for cooling in production and drilling operations, and to generate freshwater used for sanitation, cooking and drinking offshore. Fresh water that is supplied from shore comes from local Norwegian water works that are shared with other domestic users and industries. In addition, formation water is produced with the hydrocarbon stream from the reservoirs. 

Through our Environment Policy we are committed to reducing material water withdrawals, consumption and discharge, and monitoring and reducing hazardous contaminants in discharges. 

Vår Energi manages water‑related risks and impacts through a certified Environmental Management System (ISO 14001) that is fully integrated into the company’s management system. Water risk assessments are conducted for all operational assets as part of the annual identification of significant environmental aspects which consider physical, regulatory, and reputational risk dimensions, including geographic location and activity type. 

Water risk assessments consistently conclude that water‑related risk is low, as all operational assets are in Norway and in regions classified as non‑water‑stressed according to UN Water Stress Assessment and the WRI Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas. Operational dependency on freshwater resources is limited. Based on the company’s geographic exposure, operational characteristics, and risk management practices, water is not considered a material ESG risk for Vår Energi. Relevant water‑related metrics are monitored and disclosed through the company’s ESG data platform.