Peder Bjorland, Equinor's Vice President of Trading and Chief Crude Trader, is leaving the company after a nine-year tenure. His departure comes at a time of increased volatility in the energy markets, which has recently benefited Equinor's trading results. Bjorland had been with Equinor in various trading roles since June 2013, overseeing significant periods in the company's trading division.
The energy giant, Norway's largest oil and gas company, has seen its trading division benefit from recent market disruptions. In the first quarter of 2026, Equinor announced that earnings from its marketing, midstream, and processing business would exceed its guidance of $400 million, largely due to volatility spurred by the Middle East conflict and a U.S. cold spell. This contributed to Equinor's overall first-quarter adjusted operating income after tax rising to $2.86 billion, surpassing analyst estimates of $2.6 billion, driven by surging oil prices from geopolitical tensions.
While the trading profits have soared recently, Equinor has also noted the challenges posed by market instability. In July 2025, the company stated that geopolitical volatility made the trading environment difficult, contributing to a dip in its second-quarter profit compared to the previous year. This underscores the double-edged sword of high volatility in energy markets.
Taking over Bjorland's responsibilities will be Torgeir Ekkje, who currently serves as the Trading Manager for Atlantic Basin Trading at Equinor. Ekkje has been with Equinor since August 2018, leading crude oil trading in the Atlantic Basin. His promotion signals a continuity in leadership within the trading department as Equinor navigates an unpredictable global energy landscape.
