Sokkeldirektoratet

Most of the amount swindled from the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate is back where it belongs

OD2.JPG

2/11/2020 In November of last year, the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) was the target of a payment fraud amounting to 17.6 million kroner. Most of these funds, around NOK 17 million, have now been returned to the Directorate.

"We are obviously very pleased that most of the funds fraudulently taken from us have been returned," says Assistant director Torhild S. Nilsen.

The money has been returned to the NPD thanks to good efforts on the part of the DnB bank, which secured return of the funds from a foreign bank.

After the fraud, the NPD sought assistance from PwC, which has expertise in investigating these types of cases. They have recommended actions that the NPD can take to further improve payment routines. Improvements are now being introduced in line with these recommendations. There are no indications of data breaches in the NPD’s systems, or that our data security has failed.

"While we did indeed believe that our payment routines were good before this happened, this proves that anyone can be vulnerable to this type of advanced crime."

"We therefore believe that openness around such a case of fraud is important. Perhaps in this way we can contribute to help others learn, and thus avoid being swindled," says Torhild S. Nilsen.

Contact
postboks@sodir.no

Tel: +47 51 87 60 00

Updated: 2/10/2025

Latest news

Full house to hear about new technology on the NCS
6/6/2025 "Technology is one of the tools that can help generate additional values from the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS). At Technology Day new technology from different suppliers are presented."
New interactive map of deep sea data
6/5/2025 Today, the Norwegian Offshore Directorate is launching an interactive map, Deep Sea Surveys.
New Director of Offshore development and technology
6/5/2025 Producing the resources on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) so they generate the greatest possible values for society is an important driving force for the Norwegian Offshore Directorate's new director.
Proved suitable properties for CO2 injection and storage (9/6-1)
6/2/2025 A wildcat well drilled by Harbour Energy Norge and licensees in the “Havstjerne” storage project confirmed a reservoir that is suitable for injection and storage of carbon dioxide (CO2).
Oil discovery and dry well in the North Sea (31/4-A-23 F and 31/4-A-23 G)
5/28/2025 OKEA and the licensees in production licence 055 have discovered oil along the eastern flank of the Brage field.
Drilling permit for wellbore 35/11-31 S
5/23/2025 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted Equinor Energy AS drilling permit for wellbore 35/11-31 S in production licence 090.
Drilling permit for wellbore 15/5-8 S and 15/5-8 A
5/22/2025 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted Equinor Energy AS drilling permit for wellbore 15/5-8 S and 15/5-8 A in production licence 1140.
Production figures April 2025
5/20/2025 Preliminary production figures for April 2025 show an average daily production of 2 030 000 barrels of oil, NGL and condensate.
Oil discovery in the Norwegian Sea (6507/5-13 S and 6507/5-13 A)
5/20/2025 Aker BP ASA and its partners have made an oil discovery in the so-called E prospect near the Skarv field.
Drilling permit for wellbore 6406/11-2 S
5/19/2025 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted Vår Energi ASA drilling permit for wellbore 6406/11-2 S in production licence 586.