Emergency Response, Engineered Right: How Pumpeteknikk Helped Equinor Prevent Pollution During a Critical Testing Phase
When Equinor needed a fast, effective solution to prevent potentially contaminated water from being discharged into a vulnerable fjord, Pumpeteknikk AS and River Group delivered. In just two weeks, a full-scale treatment system was installed, turning environmental risk into a documented sustainability success.
When Equinor’s floating production giant Johan Castberg arrived at Stord in 2024 for final system testing, all eyes were on the fjord. The vessel – longer than three football fields and built to process over 200,000 barrels of oil per day – was entering a critical phase before heading to the Barents Sea.
Attention wasn’t just on the ship’s technology but on the environment. Environmental organisations had raised concerns about discharges from earlier operations. While not proven harmful, even the possibility of releasing chemically affected water into a pristine fjord triggered justified public concern. Equinor decided to act. Fast.
From Concern to Action
Rather than risk releasing untreated water, Equinor redirected all discharges to land-based treatment. Shuttle boats carried wastewater ashore, and Pumpeteknikk AS was brought in to engineer a rapid solution.
“We had already worked with Equinor for years,” says Fridtjof Støre, CEO of Pumpeteknikk. “But this time, the challenge was different: design, deliver, and deploy a complete treatment system, capable of handling up to 70 litres per second, in just two weeks.”
A small system was already in place, but it wasn’t enough. The project quickly escalated to include multiple industrial oil separators, filtration stages, daily sampling, and a fully modular setup installed dockside in record time.
This wasn’t about cleaning up a spill; it was about preventing one.
Prevention, Not Cleanup
“This wasn’t about cleaning up a spill; it was about preventing one,” Fridtjof says. “The goal was to avoid any chance of environmental harm. That´s why speed, reliability, and documentation were so critical.”
The result was a robust, transparent process that ensured no untreated water reached the sea. It also signalled a shift in approach—from reactive to proactive environmental action.
The project also demonstrated something else:
“In a situation where every hour matters, being small, skilled and well-organised is a huge advantage,” Fridtjof Støre adds.
A River Group Advantage
This project showcased River Group’s core strength: agile member companies that deliver fast, effective, and highly accountable solutions without layers of bureaucracy.
The system was monitored daily, and samples were taken to ensure compliance with environmental expectations. Equinor took the critique seriously, not just in words but in verifiable action.
“This wasn’t just a customer order,” Fridtjof reflects. “It was a proof point that sustainability, accountability, and engineering can work hand in hand. And that River Group members have a real role to play in protecting both business and nature.”
Fast Facts: Treatment Setup at Stord
• 5 oil separators (4 × NS15, 1 × NS10)
• Max capacity: 70 litres/second
• Delivery time: < 14 days from order to full operation
• Included: Modular manifold system, uniform flow balancing, carbon-based polishing filters
Environmental Impact
• Zero direct discharge from Johan Castberg during dockside testing
• Daily water sampling ensured regulatory compliance
• Designed to prevent release of oil and chemical residues
• Rapid response model built on River Group’s agile, decentralised structure