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In the autumn of 2025, the Norwegian Parliament approved a scheme that can provide compensation to people who became ill after working on the Norwegian continental shelf during the pioneering period between 1966 and 1990. The scheme opened for applications in January this year, and a board is currently assessing applications and paying out compensation.
Background information
In the early years of oil extraction on the Norwegian continental shelf, there was less knowledge and focus on protective equipment to protect against hazardous exposure, and many have suffered serious illness or a shorter life as a result of the work they did while helping to build Norway's prosperity. Efforts have long been made to put in place a scheme that can provide compensation to this group that goes beyond the National Insurance Act and the Occupational Injuries Insurance Act.
The schemes apply to specific occupational groups who worked offshore in the oil industry in drilling, wells or production and maintenance during these years, and who have suffered an illness or injury listed in the Act. Many of the illnesses and injuries caused by exposure do not materialise until many years later, and it can be difficult to prove that there is a connection. The scheme has a lower requirement to prove that the illness or injury was caused by the work, so it may also be relevant to apply for people who have previously been rejected by NAV or occupational injury insurance. For the relevant occupational groups that have one of the injuries or illnesses in question, it is sufficient that there is a possible connection with chemical exposure to drilling mud, hydrocarbon or benzene.
Occupational groups
The relevant occupational groups to which the scheme applies are:
Within drilling and wells
- tyre worker
- drill floor worker
- tower man
- assistant towerman
- rig mechanic
- sludge logger
- cements.
Within production and maintenance
- process operator
- laboratory mechanic
- mechanic
- electrician
- automation engineer
- machinist
- technical cleaner.
When it comes to occupational groups, it is recognised that there may have been different names for positions, and in this context it is the work tasks that determine whether you are covered. You can therefore apply if you believe the work tasks were equivalent.
Diagnoses
The diseases and injuries in question that may entitle you to compensation are:
- Acute myelogenous leukaemia (a type of acute blood cancer)
- Myelodysplastic neoplasia (bone marrow failure, can be a precursor to blood cancer)
- Multiple myeloma (bone marrow cancer)
- Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (a type of blood cancer)
- Lung cancer
- Mesothelioma (pleural cancer or peritoneal cancer)
- Ovarian cancer
- Cancer of the throat
- Asbestosis (a lung disease caused by the inhalation of asbestos, leading to scarring of the lungs and pulmonary fibrosis)
- Solvent damage to the central nervous system (the central nervous system is understood here as the brain, i.e. damage to the brain due to solvents)
This list is exhaustive. This means that you are not currently entitled to compensation for other diagnoses.
Survivors
If someone who could have been entitled to compensation has died, survivors may be entitled to compensation.
The size of the compensation
If you are entitled to compensation, the compensation will amount to 8 times the National Insurance basic amount at the time of the decision. As of March 2026, this amounts to NOK 1,041,280. Any compensation received from the National Insurance Scheme and/or occupational injury insurance will be deducted.
Application process
Applications can be sent digitally via www.nav.no or application form that can be printed in the same place.
https://www.nav.no/fyllut/olj000001
Application deadline
The last application deadline for the scheme is 22 December 2027.
If you have any questions about the scheme, rights from the National Insurance Scheme or occupational injury insurance related to illness or injury as a result of work in the oil sector, you are welcome to contact us.
Contact person
Thomas Chr. Wangen
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