Equinor has formalized a significant long-term crude oil supply arrangement with Poland’s ORLEN, marking another substantial commitment to European energy security. The three-year agreement, effective from September 2026, will see sale of crude oil from the Johan Sverdrup field on the Norwegian continental shelf.
Under the terms of this European energy security arrangement, annual crude deliveries will range between 5 million tonnes and over 9 million tonnes. The crude oil deal carries confidential commercial provisions between both parties and creates flexibility for additional crude grades sourced from Norwegian Continental Shelf operations to be supplied as needed.
Reinforcing Long-Term European Energy Security
“This agreement is another example of how energy from the Norwegian continental shelf contributes to security of supply for Europe. We are very pleased to strengthen our relationship with ORLEN through this agreement for sales of crude to their refineries in Poland, Lithuania and the Czech Republic,” said Irene Rummelhoff, executive vice president for Marketing, Midstream and Processing in Equinor.
The crude oil deal further strengthens the energy partnership between Equinor and ORLEN, while highlighting the ongoing importance of dependable Norwegian energy supplies to Poland and the wider European market. As the highest-producing oil field on the Norwegian continental shelf, Johan Sverdrup plays a vital role in supporting Europe’s energy supply. The field also stands out for its energy-efficient production, generating significantly lower CO₂ emissions than the global average. This lower emissions intensity is largely attributed to its use of power from shore.
“A secure future begins with decisions made in advance. That is why we are strengthening the ORLEN Group’s access to stable sources of crude oil from Norway, which may account for up to one-quarter of our annual demand,” said Ireneusz Fąfara, President of the Management Board of ORLEN.
“Equinor is a reliable partner, with whom we are building a relationship based on shared responsibility for the region’s energy security. This agreement is a concrete response to global market instability and demonstrates that resilience in the energy sector is built through long-term cooperation with partners that provide predictable supplies and operational reliability,” he added.
Expanding Energy Cooperation Across Multiple Sectors
The company’s investment strategy extends beyond traditional hydrocarbon supply into renewable energy development. Joint offshore wind initiatives in the Baltic Sea, developed in collaboration with regional partners, represent the emerging renewable energy component of this broader regional engagement. A subsidiary focused on renewable energy expansion continues building an expanding portfolio encompassing solar installations, onshore wind facilities, and energy storage systems, with additional battery storage projects in various developmental stages.
Strategic Importance for Regional Resilience
Beyond this crude oil deal, Equinor maintains a diversified energy presence in Poland and continues to collaborate with Polish partners across oil, natural gas and lower-carbon energy solutions. The crude oil agreement with ORLEN further strengthens this broader cooperation and highlights Norway’s position as a dependable, long-term energy partner for Poland.
Beyond supplying Poland with crude oil, pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG), Equinor is steadily expanding its energy footprint in the country. In partnership with Polenergia, the company is developing the Bałtyk offshore wind projects in the Baltic Sea. Equinor subsidiary Wento is also growing its onshore renewable energy operations in Poland, with an expanding portfolio of solar and onshore wind assets, alongside battery storages. Wento is further advancing a pipeline of projects focused on battery storages, supporting the development of Poland’s renewable energy infrastructure.
