Norway's Johan Sverdrup oil field to keep producing despite strike: Equinor

London — Norway's state-controlled Equinor expects "normal" production to continue from the giant Johan Sverdrup oil field despite a strike by workers from one trade union, with some non-critical work possibly affected, the company said Sept. 30.

Industry association Norwegian Oil & Gas reached a settlement overnight in a pay dispute with two trade unions, but the Lederne union, representing industry managers, was holding out for a better deal, prompting the association to warn of a risk to Johan Sverdrup production.

However, Equinor, which operates the field, said production was continuing and was unlikely to be disrupted. "We have normal production from the field and we expect that to continue. Some non-critical activity at the field could be suspended, for example project work on Johan Sverdrup that is not critical to production," a company spokesman said by email.

"The assessment is that the field can be operated safely," Equinor said on its website, adding just 43 union members were on strike.

Johan Sverdrup came on stream a year ago and has a current official capacity of 470,000 b/d, although volumes in July hit record highs, approaching 480,000 b/d. It is the country's highest-producing oil field at present, accounting for around a quarter of Norwegian oil output, and nearly 20% of total North Sea oil output.