Equinor ASA

(incorporated with limited liability in the Kingdom of Norway)

Notes issued under the programme may (subject as described below) be unconditionally and irrevocably

guaranteed by

Equinor Energy AS

(incorporated with limited liability in the Kingdom of Norway)

€20,000,000,000 Euro Medium Term Note Programme

On 21 March 1997, Equinor ASA (formerly known as Statoil ASA, the Issuer and together with its subsidiaries, Equinor or the Group) entered into a Euro Medium Term Note Programme (the Programme) and issued an Offering Circular on that date describing the Programme. The Programme has been subsequently amended and updated. This Offering Circular supersedes any previously dated offering circulars. Any Notes (as defined below) issued under the Programme on or after the date of this Offering Circular are issued subject to the provisions described herein. This does not affect any Notes issued prior to the date hereof.

Under this Programme, the Issuer may from time to time issue notes (the Notes) denominated in any currency agreed between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer (as defined below). The Notes may be issued either (i) in bearer form or (ii) in uncertificated book entry form registered in accordance with section 3-1 of the Norwegian Securities Depository Act of 15 March 2019 no. 6 in a securities depository approved or acknowledged under the EU central securities depositories (CSD) regulation (Regulation (EU) No 909/2014 of 23 July 2014 on improving securities settlement in the European Union and on central securities depositories and amending Directives 98/26/EC and 2014/65/EU and Regulation (EU) No 236/2012) (the CSD Regulation) which, unless otherwise specified in the applicable Final Terms (as defined below), will be the Norwegian Central Securities Depositary, Verdipapirsentralen ASA (the VPS and such Notes, the VPS Notes). The maximum aggregate nominal amount of all Notes from time to time outstanding will not exceed €20,000,000,000 (or its equivalent in other currencies calculated as described herein).

The payments of all amounts due in respect of the Notes issued by the Issuer may, if indicated in the applicable Final Terms (subject to the automatic termination provisions in Condition 2(c) (Termination of Guarantee) of the Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes or of the Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes, as applicable), be unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by Equinor Energy AS (formerly known as Statoil Petroleum AS, the Guarantor). A6.1

The Notes may be issued on a continuing basis to one or more of the Dealers specified on page 10 and any additional Dealer appointed under the Programme from time to time, which appointment may be for a specific issue or on an ongoing basis (each a Dealer and together the Dealers). References in this Offering Circular to the relevant Dealer shall, in the case of an issue of Notes being (or intended to be) subscribed by more than one Dealer, be to all Dealers agreeing to subscribe for such Notes.

An investment in Notes issued under the Programme involves certain risks. For a discussion of these risks see "Risk Factors".

This Offering Circular has been approved as a base prospectus by the United Kingdom (the UK) Financial Conduct Authority (the FCA) as competent authority under Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (the Prospectus Regulation). The FCA only approves this Offering Circular as meeting the standards of completeness, comprehensibility and consistency imposed by the Prospectus Regulation. Approval by the FCA should not be considered as an endorsement of the Issuer or the Guarantor or of the quality of the Notes that are the subject of this Offering Circular. Investors should make their own assessment as to the suitability of investing in the Notes.

Application has been made to the FCA for Notes issued under the Programme during the period of 12 months from the date of this Offering Circular to be admitted to the official list of the FCA (the Official List) and to the London Stock Exchange plc (the London Stock Exchange) for such Notes to be admitted to trading on the London Stock Exchange's regulated market.

References in this Offering Circular to Notes being listed (and all related references) shall mean that such Notes have been admitted to trading on the London Stock Exchange's regulated market and have been admitted to the Official List. VPS Notes may be listed on the Oslo Børs's regulated market and, in this case, listed (and all related references) shall be construed accordingly. Each of the London Stock Exchange's regulated market and the Oslo Børs's regulated market is a regulated market for the purposes of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, MiFID II).

Notice of the aggregate nominal amount of Notes, interest (if any) payable in respect of Notes, the issue price of Notes and any other terms and conditions not contained herein which are applicable to each Tranche (as defined under "Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes" and "Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes") of Notes will be set out in a Final Terms document (the Final Terms) which will be delivered to the FCA and the London Stock Exchange.

Copies of Final Terms will be available from the registered office of the Issuer and from the specified office set out below of each of the Paying Agents. In addition, copies of each Final Terms will be available on the website of the London Stock Exchange through a regulatory information service.

The Issuer has been rated Aa2 (negative) by Moody's Investors Service Ltd (Moody's) and AA- (negative) by S&P Global Ratings Europe Limited (S&P). The Programme has been rated Aa2 by Moody's and AA- by S&P to the extent that Notes issued by the Issuer are unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by the Guarantor. Notes issued pursuant to the Programme may be rated or unrated. Where an issue of Notes is rated, its rating will not necessarily be the same as the rating applicable to the Programme. A rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities and may be subject to suspension, reduction or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating agency. The rating of certain Series of Notes to be issued under the Programme may be specified in the applicable Final Terms. For the purposes of the credit ratings included and referred to in this Offering Circular, Moody's and S&P are established in the UK and the European Union (the EU), respectively, and both Moody's and S&P are registered under Regulation (EC) No. 1060/2009 (as amended) (the CRA Regulation). A13.7.5(A)

This Offering Circular (as supplemented as at the relevant time, if applicable) is valid for 12 months from its date in relation to Notes which are to be admitted to trading on a regulated market in the European Economic Area (the EEA). For these purposes, references to the EEA include the UK. The obligation to supplement this Offering Circular in the event of a significant new factor, material mistake or material inaccuracy does not apply when this Offering Circular is no longer valid.

Arranger BNP PARIBAS Dealers

Barclays BNP PARIBAS Citigroup Deutsche Bank HSBC J.P. Morgan

Nordea

13 May 2020

This Offering Circular comprises a base prospectus for the purposes of Article 8 of the Prospectus Regulation. The Prospectus Regulation means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.

The Issuer and the Guarantor accept responsibility for the information contained in this Offering Circular and the Issuer and (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) the Guarantor accept responsibility for the information contained in the Final Terms for each Tranche of Notes issued under the Programme. To the best of the knowledge of the Issuer and the Guarantor the information contained in this Offering Circular is in accordance with the facts and the Offering Circular does not omit anything likely to affect the import of such information.

A9.1.1 A9.1.2 A13.1.1(A) A13.1.2(A)

This Offering Circular is to be read in conjunction with all documents which are deemed to be incorporated herein by reference (see "Documents Incorporated by Reference" below). This Offering Circular shall be read and construed on the basis that such documents are so incorporated and form part of this Offering Circular. Each investor contemplating purchasing any Notes should review the documents incorporated by reference.

Other than in relation to the documents which are deemed to be incorporated by reference (see "Documents Incorporated by Reference"), the information on the websites to which this Offering Circular refers does not form part of this Offering Circular and has not been scrutinised or approved by the FCA.

The Issuer and the Guarantor confirm that any information sourced from a third party has been accurately reproduced and that, so far as the Issuer and the Guarantor are aware and are able to ascertain, no facts have been omitted which would render the reproduced information inaccurate or misleading.

The Dealers have not separately verified the information contained herein. Accordingly, no representation, warranty or undertaking, express or implied, is made and no responsibility or liability is accepted by the Dealers as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this Offering Circular or any other information provided by the Issuer or the Guarantor in connection with the Programme or the Notes or their distribution.

No person is or has been authorised to give any information or to make any representation not contained in or not consistent with this Offering Circular or any other information supplied in connection with the Programme or the Notes and, if given or made, such information or representation must not be relied upon as having been authorised by the Issuer, the Guarantor or any of the Dealers.

Neither this Offering Circular nor any other information supplied in connection with the Programme or any Notes (i) is intended to provide the basis of any credit or other evaluation or (ii) should be considered as a recommendation or constituting an invitation or offer by the Issuer, the Guarantor, the Paying Agents or any of the Dealers that any recipient of this Offering Circular or any other information supplied in connection with the Programme or any Notes should purchase any Notes. Each investor contemplating purchasing any Notes should make its own independent investigation of the financial condition and affairs, and its own appraisal of the creditworthiness, of the Issuer and/or the Guarantor. Neither this Offering Circular nor any other information supplied in connection with the Programme or the issue of any Notes constitutes an offer by or on behalf of the Issuer, the Guarantor or any of the Dealers to any person to subscribe for or to purchase any Notes.

The delivery of this Offering Circular does not at any time imply that the information contained herein concerning the Issuer and/or the Guarantor is correct at any time subsequent to the date hereof or that any other information supplied in connection with the Programme or any Notes is correct as of any time subsequent to the date indicated in the document containing the same. The Dealers expressly do not undertake to review the financial condition or affairs of the Issuer or the Guarantor during the life of the Programme.

The distribution of this Offering Circular and the offer or sale of Notes may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. None of the Issuer, the Guarantor or the Dealers represents that this Offering Circular may be lawfully distributed, or that any Notes may be lawfully offered, in compliance with any applicable registration or other requirements in any such jurisdiction, or pursuant to an exemption available thereunder, or assume any responsibility for facilitating any such distribution or offering. No Notes may be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, and neither this Offering Circular nor any advertisement or other offering material may be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations and the Dealers have represented that all offers and sales by them will be made on the same terms. Persons into whose possession this Offering Circular or any Notes come must inform themselves about, and observe, any such restrictions. In particular, there are restrictions on the distribution of this Offering Circular and the offer or sale of Notes in the United States, the EEA (including France, Norway and Belgium and, for these purposes, the UK), Switzerland, Japan and Singapore (see the section entitled "Subscription and Sale" below).

The Notes have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the Securities Act) and are subject to U.S. tax law requirements. Subject to certain exceptions, Notes may not be offered, sold or delivered within the United States or to or for the account or benefit of U.S. persons (see the section entitled "Subscription and Sale" below).

Notes denominated in NOK may not be offered, sold or delivered in Norway or to or for the benefit of persons domiciled in Norway, unless in compliance with the regulations relating to the offer of VPS Notes including the registration of such VPS Notes in accordance with section 3-1 of the Norwegian Securities Depository Act of 15 March 2019 no. 6 in a securities depository approved or acknowledged under the CSD Regulation which, unless otherwise specified in the applicable Final Terms, will be the VPS.

The Notes may not be a suitable investment for all investors. Each potential investor in the Notes must determine the suitability of that investment in light of its own circumstances. In particular, each potential investor should:

(i) have sufficient knowledge and experience to make a meaningful evaluation of the Notes, the merits and risks of investing in the Notes and the information contained or incorporated by reference in this Offering Circular or any applicable supplement;

(ii) have access to, and knowledge of, appropriate analytical tools to evaluate, in the context of its particular financial situation, an investment in the Notes and the impact the Notes will have on its overall investment portfolio;
(iii) have sufficient financial resources and liquidity to bear all of the risks of an investment in the Notes, including Notes with principal or interest payable in one or more currencies, or where the currency for principal or interest payments is different from the potential investor's currency;
(iv) understand thoroughly the terms of the Notes and be familiar with the behaviour of any relevant indices and financial markets; and
(v) be able to evaluate (either alone or with the help of a financial adviser) possible scenarios for economic, interest rate and other factors that may affect its investment and its ability to bear the applicable risks.

Legal investment considerations may restrict certain investments. The investment activities of certain investors are subject to investment laws and regulations, or review or regulation by certain authorities. Each potential investor should consult its legal advisers to determine whether and to what extent (1) Notes are legal investments for it, (2) Notes can be used as collateral for various types of borrowing and (3) other restrictions apply to its purchase or pledge of any Notes. Financial institutions should consult their legal advisers or the appropriate regulators to determine the appropriate treatment of Notes under any applicable risk based capital or similar rules.

All references in this Offering Circular to the "Guarantor" when used in relation to Equinor Energy shall be construed as meaning the Guarantor until such time as the Guarantor's obligations are, or would be, automatically terminated pursuant to Condition 2(c) of each of the Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes and the Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes.

All references in this Offering Circular to "NOK" refer to Norwegian Kroner, those to "U.S. dollars", "US\$", "USD" and "\$" refer to United States dollars, those to "Sterling" and "£" refer to pounds Sterling, and those to "euro" and "€" refer to the currency introduced at the start of the third stage of European economic and monetary union pursuant to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, as amended.

In connection with the issue of any Tranche of Notes, the Dealer or Dealers (if any) named as the Stabilisation Manager(s) (or persons acting on behalf of any Stabilisation Manager(s)) in the applicable Final Terms may over-allot Notes or effect transactions with a view to supporting the market price of the Notes at a level higher than that which might otherwise prevail. However, stabilisation may not necessarily occur. Any stabilisation action may begin on or after the date on which adequate public disclosure of the terms of the offer of the relevant Tranche of Notes is made and, if begun, may cease at any time, but it must end no later than the earlier of 30 days after the issue date of the relevant Tranche of Notes and 60 days after the date of the allotment of the relevant Tranche of Notes. Any stabilisation action or overallotment must be conducted by the relevant Stabilisation Manager(s) (or persons acting on behalf of any Stabilisation Manager(s)) in accordance with all applicable laws and rules.

Amounts payable on Floating Rate Notes may, if so specified in the applicable Final Terms, be calculated by reference to one of the London Inter-bank Offered Rate

(LIBOR), the Euro Inter-bank Offered Rate (EURIBOR), the Norwegian Inter-bank Offered Rate (NIBOR) and the Stockholm Inter-bank Offered Rate (STIBOR). As at the date of this Offering Circular, ICE Benchmark Administration Limited (as administrator of LIBOR) and the European Money Market Institute (as administrator of EURIBOR) are included in ESMA's register of administrators under Article 36 of the Regulation (EU) No. 2016/1011 (the Benchmarks Regulation). As at the date of this Offering Circular, the administrators of NIBOR and STIBOR are not included in ESMA's register of administrators under Article 36 of the Benchmarks Regulation. As far as the Issuer is aware, the transitional provisions in Article 51 of the Benchmarks Regulation apply, such that neither Norske Finansielle Referanser AS (as administrator of NIBOR) nor the Swedish Financial Benchmark Facility (as administrator of STIBOR) is currently required to obtain authorisation or registration (or, if located outside the European Union and the United Kingdom, recognition, endorsement or equivalence).

IMPORTANT – EEA AND UK RETAIL INVESTORS – If the Final Terms in respect of any Notes includes a legend entitled "Prohibition of Sales to EEA and UK Retail Investors", the Notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the EEA or in the UK. For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97 (as amended, the Insurance Distribution Directive), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (the Prospectus Regulation). Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the PRIIPs Regulation) for offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA or in the UK has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA or in the UK may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.

MiFID II product governance / target market – The Final Terms in respect of any Notes may include a legend entitled "MiFID II product governance" which will outline the target market assessment in respect of the Notes and which channels for distribution of the Notes are appropriate. Any person subsequently offering, selling or recommending the Notes (a distributor) should take into consideration the target market assessment; however, a distributor subject to MiFID II is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the Notes (by either adopting or refining the target market assessment) and determining appropriate distribution channels.

A determination will be made in relation to each issue about whether, for the purpose of the Product Governance rules under EU Delegated Directive 2017/593 (the MiFID Product Governance Rules), any Dealer subscribing for any Notes is a manufacturer in respect of such Notes, but otherwise neither the Arranger nor the Dealers nor any of their respective affiliates will be a manufacturer for the purpose of the MiFID Product Governance Rules.

NOTIFICATION UNDER SECTION 309B(1)(c) OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES ACT (CHAPTER 289) OF SINGAPORE (the SFA) – Unless otherwise stated in the Final Terms in respect of any Notes, all Notes issued or to be issued under the Programme shall be "prescribed capital markets products" (as defined in the Securities and Futures (Capital Markets Products) Regulations 2018 of Singapore) and Excluded Investment Products (as defined in the Monetary Authority of Singapore (the MAS) Notice SFA 04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and MAS Notice FAA-N16: Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products).

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Offering Circular contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, in particular in the section entitled "Equinor". In some cases, Equinor uses words such as "ambition", "anticipate", "believe", "consistent", "continue", "could", "estimate", "expect", "focus", "guidance", "intend", "in line with", "likely", "objective", "outlook", "may", "plan", "schedule", "seek", "should", "strategy", "targets", "will", "goal" and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include all statements other than statements of historical fact, including, among others, statements regarding Equinor's plans, intentions, aims, ambitions and expectations with respect to the Covid-19 pandemic including its impacts, consequences and risks; Equinor's USD 3 billion action plan for 2020 to strengthen financial resilience; Equinor's response to the Covid-19 pandemic, including anticipated measures to protect people, operations and value creation, operating costs and assumptions; the commitment to develop as a broad energy company; future financial performance, including cash flow and liquidity; the share buy-back programme, including its suspension and the redemption of the Norwegian State's shares; accounting policies; production cuts, including their impact on the level and timing of Equinor's production; Norway's petroleum tax system; market outlook and future economic projections and assumptions, including commodity price assumptions; organic capital expenditures through 2023; intention to mature its portfolio; estimates regarding exploration activity levels; ambition to keep unit of production cost in the top quartile of its peer group; scheduled maintenance activity and the effects on equity production thereof; expected amount and timing of dividend payments; and provisions and contingent liabilities.

Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Equinor's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the risks described above in the section entitled "Risk Factors".

These forward-looking statements reflect current views about future events and are, by their nature, subject to significant risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including levels of industry product supply, demand and pricing, in particular in light of recent significant oil price volatility triggered, among other things, by the change dynamic among OPEC+ (as defined below) members and the uncertainty regarding demand created by the Covid-19 pandemic; the impact of Covid-19; levels and calculations of reserves and material differences from reserves estimates; unsuccessful drilling; operational problems; health, safety and environmental risks; natural disasters, adverse weather conditions, climate change, and other changes to business conditions; the effects of climate change; regulations on hydraulic fracturing; security breaches, including breaches of Equinor's digital infrastructure (cybersecurity); ineffectiveness of crisis management systems; the actions of competitors; the development and use of new technology, particularly in the renewable energy sector; inability to meet strategic objectives; the difficulties involving transportation infrastructure; political and social stability and economic growth in relevant areas of the world; an inability to attract and retain personnel; inadequate insurance coverage; changes or uncertainty in or non-compliance with laws and governmental regulations; the actions of the Norwegian state as majority shareholder; failure to meet Equinor's ethical and social standards; the political and economic policies of Norway and other oil-producing countries; non-compliance with international trade sanctions; the actions of field partners; adverse changes in tax regimes; exchange rate and interest rate fluctuations; factors relating to trading, supply and financial risk; general economic conditions; and other factors discussed elsewhere in this Offering Circular.

Although Equinor believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, Equinor cannot assure investors that its future results, level of activity, performance or achievements will meet these expectations.

Unless Equinor is required by law to update these statements, Equinor will not necessarily update any of these statements after the date of this Offering Circular, either to make them conform to actual results or changes in Equinor's expectations.

Description of the Programme	9
Risk Factors	17
Documents Incorporated by Reference	42
Form of the Notes	44
Form of Final Terms	48
Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes	59
Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes	93
Use of Proceeds	123
Equinor	124
Taxation	136
Subscription and Sale	138
General Information	144

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROGRAMME

The following description does not purport to be complete and is taken from, and is qualified in its entirety by, the remainder of this Offering Circular and, in relation to the terms and conditions of any particular Tranche of Notes, the applicable Final Terms. Words and expressions defined in "Form of the Notes", "Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes" and "Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes" below shall have the same meanings in this description.

Issuer:	Equinor ASA
Issuer's Legal Entity Identifier (LEI):	OW6OFBNCKXC4US5C7523
Guarantor:	Notes issued under the Programme may, if indicated in the applicable Final Terms (subject to the automatic termination provisions as described below), be guaranteed by Equinor Energy AS.
	Any Notes issued under the Programme after the Guarantee Termination Date (as defined in Condition 2(c) (Termination of Guarantee) of the Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes and of the Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes) will not be guaranteed by Equinor Energy AS.
Risk Factors:	There are certain factors that may affect the Issuer's ability to fulfil its obligations under Notes issued under the Programme. There are also certain factors that may affect the Guarantor's ability to fulfil its obligations under the Guarantee. In addition, there are certain factors which are material for the purpose of assessing the market risks associated with Notes issued under the Programme (see "Risk Factors").
Description:	Euro Medium Term Note Programme
Arranger:	BNP Paribas
Dealers:	Barclays Bank Ireland PLC Barclays Bank PLC BNP Paribas Citigroup Global Markets Europe AG Citigroup Global Markets Limited Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch HSBC Bank plc J.P. Morgan Securities plc Nordea Bank Abp and any other Dealers appointed in accordance with the Programme Agreement (as defined in the section entitled "Subscription and Sale" below).

Certain Restrictions: Each issue of Notes denominated in a currency in respect of which particular laws, guidelines, regulations, restrictions or reporting requirements apply will only be issued in circumstances which comply with such laws, guidelines, regulations, restrictions or reporting requirements from time to time (see the section entitled "Subscription and Sale" below).
Notes with a maturity of less than one year: Notes having a maturity of less than one year will, if the proceeds of the issue are accepted in the UK, constitute deposits for the purpose of the prohibition on accepting deposits contained in section 19 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 unless they are issued to a limited class of professional investors and have a denomination of at least £100,000 or its equivalent (see the section entitled "Subscription and Sale" below).
Issuing and Principal The Bank of New York Mellon

Paying Agent: The Bank of New York Mellon SA/NV, Luxembourg Branch

VPS Agent: DNB Bank ASA, Verdipapirservice

VPS Trustee: Nordic Trustee AS

Paying Agent:

Size: Up to €20,000,000,000 (or its equivalent in other currencies calculated as described in the Programme Agreement) outstanding at any time. The Issuer and the Guarantor may increase the amount of the Programme in accordance with the terms of the Programme Agreement.
Distribution: Notes may be distributed by way of private or public placement and in each case on a syndicated or non-syndicated basis.
Currencies: Subject to any applicable legal or regulatory restrictions, Notes will be denominated in such currencies as may be agreed between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer, including, without limitation, Australian dollars, Canadian dollars, Danish kroner, euro, Hong Kong dollars, Japanese yen, New Zealand dollars, Norwegian kroner, South African rand, Sterling, Swedish kronor, Swiss francs and United States dollars (as indicated in the applicable Final Terms).
Maturities: Such maturities as may be agreed between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer and as indicated in the applicable Final Terms, subject to such minimum or maximum maturities as may be allowed or required from time to time by the relevant central bank (or equivalent body) or any laws or regulations applicable to the Issuer or the relevant Specified Currency.
Issue Price: Notes may be issued at an issue price which is at par or at a discount to, or a premium over, par.

Form of Notes: The Notes will be in bearer form or, in the case of VPS Notes, uncertificated book entry form, as specified in the Final Terms. Each Tranche of Notes (other than VPS Notes) will initially be represented by a temporary global Note which will be deposited on the relevant Issue Date with, in the case of Notes issued in new global note form, a common safekeeper, or, in the case of Notes not issued in new global note form, a common depositary for Euroclear Bank SA/NV (Euroclear) and Clearstream Banking S.A. (Clearstream, Luxembourg) and/or any other agreed clearance system and which will be exchangeable, upon request, as described therein for either a permanent global Note or definitive Notes (as indicated in the applicable Final Terms and subject, in the case of definitive Notes, to such notice period as is specified in the applicable Final Terms), in each case not earlier than 40 days after the completion of distribution of all Notes upon certification of non-U.S. beneficial ownership as required by U.S. Treasury regulations. A permanent global Note will be exchangeable, unless otherwise specified in the applicable Final Terms, upon request as described therein, in whole but not in part for definitive Notes upon (i) not less than 60 days' written notice to the Agent or (ii) only upon the occurrence of an Exchange Event as described in the section entitled "Form of the Notes" below. Any interest in a global Note will be transferable only in accordance with the rules and procedures for the time being of Euroclear, Clearstream, Luxembourg and/or any other agreed clearance system, as appropriate.

VPS Notes will not be evidenced by any physical note or document of title. Entitlements to VPS Notes will be evidenced by the crediting of VPS Notes to accounts with a securities depository approved or acknowledged under the CSD Regulation which, unless otherwise specified in the applicable Final Terms, will be the VPS. VPS Notes will not be exchangeable for Notes in bearer form and vice versa. See the section entitled "Form of the Notes" below.

Fixed Rate Notes: Fixed interest will be payable on such date or dates as may be agreed between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer (as indicated in the applicable Final Terms) and on redemption, and will be calculated on the basis of such Day Count Fraction as may be agreed between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer and indicated in the applicable Final Terms.
Floating Rate Notes: Floating Rate Notes will bear interest at a rate determined either:
- (i) on the same basis as the floating rate under a notional interest rate swap transaction in the relevant Specified Currency governed by an agreement incorporating the 2006 ISDA Definitions (as published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., and as amended and updated as at the Issue Date of the first Tranche of the Notes of the relevant Series); or

(ii) on the basis of a reference rate appearing on the agreed screen page of a commercial quotation service,

as indicated in the applicable Final Terms.

The Margin (if any) relating to such floating rate will be agreed between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer for each Series of Floating Rate Notes.

Floating Rate Notes may also have a maximum interest rate, a minimum interest rate, or both, as indicated in the applicable Final Terms.

Interest on Floating Rate Notes in respect of each Interest Period, as selected prior to issue by the Issuer and the relevant Dealer, will be payable on such Interest Payment Dates specified in, or determined pursuant to, the applicable Final Terms and will be calculated on the basis of such Day Count Fraction as is indicated in the applicable Final Terms.

Zero Coupon Notes: Zero Coupon Notes will be offered and sold at a discount to their nominal amount and will not bear interest other than in the case of late payment.
Benchmark Discontinuation: If Floating Rate Notes provide for a rate of interest (or any component thereof) to be determined by reference to a reference rate, upon such reference rate ceasing to be published for a period of at least five consecutive business days or ceasing to exist or be administered, or the occurrence of another Benchmark Event in respect of such reference rate, then the Issuer shall use reasonable endeavours to appoint an Independent Adviser (as defined in Condition 3(b)(viii) (Benchmark Discontinuation) of the Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes and Condition 3(b)(ix) (Benchmark Discontinuation) of the Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes) to determine a successor rate or alternative reference rate for use in place of the original reference rate and to determine an adjustment spread (if any). If the Independent Adviser fails to determine a successor rate or alternative reference rate (as applicable), then the Rate of Interest shall be determined by reference to the original reference rate and the fallback provisions set out in the relevant Conditions. See Condition 3(b)(viii) (Benchmark Discontinuation) of the Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than the VPS Notes and Condition 3(b)(ix) (Benchmark Discontinuation) of the Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes for further information.

Redemption: The Final Terms relating to each Tranche of Notes will indicate whether the Notes of such Tranche:

(i) cannot be redeemed prior to their stated maturity (other than for taxation reasons or following an Event of Default); or

(ii) will be redeemable (in addition to being redeemable for taxation reasons or following an Event of Default):
- (A) at the option of the Issuer (if "Issuer Call" is specified as being applicable in the applicable Final Terms) and/or the Noteholders (if "Investor Put" is specified as being applicable in the applicable Final Terms) upon giving not less than 15 nor more than 30 days' irrevocable notice to the Noteholders or the Issuer, as the case may be, on a date or dates specified prior to such stated maturity and at a price or prices and on such terms as are indicated in the applicable Final Terms; and/or
- (B) if "Issuer Residual Call" is specified as being applicable in the applicable Final Terms and, at any time, the outstanding aggregate nominal amount of the Notes is 20 per cent. or less of the aggregate nominal amount of the Series issued, at the option of the Issuer (in whole but not in part) upon giving not less than 15 nor more than 60 days' irrevocable notice (or such other notice period (if any) as is indicated in the applicable Final Terms) to the Noteholders on a date specified prior to such stated maturity at the Residual Call Early Redemption Amount specified in the applicable Final Terms together, if appropriate, with interest accrued to (but excluding) the date of such redemption; and/or
- (C) if "Make-Whole Redemption" is specified as being applicable in the applicable Final Terms, at the option of the Issuer (in whole or in part), at any time or from time to time, prior to such stated maturity (having given not less than 15 nor more than 60 days' notice (or such other notice period as may be specified in the applicable Final Terms)), at the Make-Whole Redemption Amount,

each as further described in the sections entitled "Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes — Redemption and Purchase" and "Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes — Redemption and Purchase".

Notes issued on terms that they must be redeemed before their first anniversary may be subject to restrictions on their denomination and distribution, see "Notes with a maturity of less than one year" above.

Denomination of Notes: The Notes will be issued in such denominations as may be agreed between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer save that the minimum denomination of each Note will be such amount as may be allowed or required from time to time by the relevant central bank (or equivalent body) or any laws or regulations applicable to the relevant Specified Currency, and save that the minimum denomination of each Note will be €100,000 (or, if the Notes are denominated in a currency other than euro, the equivalent amount in such currency).

Taxation: All payments in respect of the Notes will be made without deduction for or on account of withholding taxes imposed within Norway, subject as provided in "Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes — Taxation" and "Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes — Taxation".
Negative Pledge: The terms of the Notes will not contain a negative pledge provision.
Cross Default: The terms of the Notes will not contain a cross-default provision.
Status of the Notes: The Notes will constitute unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the Issuer and shall at all times rank pari passu and without any preference among themselves. The payment obligations of the Issuer under the Notes shall, save for such exceptions as may be provided by applicable legislation, at all times rank at least equally with all its other present and future unsecured and unsubordinated obligations.
Guarantee: The Final Terms may provide that Notes will (subject to Condition 2(c) (Termination of Guarantee) of the Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes or of the Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes, as applicable) be unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by the Guarantor. The obligations of the Guarantor under such guarantee will be direct, unconditional and unsecured obligations of the Guarantor and will rank pari passu and (save for certain obligations required to be preferred by law) equally with all other unsecured obligations of the Guarantor from time to time outstanding.

Pursuant to Condition 2(c) (Termination of Guarantee) of both the Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes and the Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes, the Guarantee shall automatically and unconditionally be terminated in the event that the aggregate amount of indebtedness for borrowed money for which the Guarantor is an obligor (as a guarantor, co-issuer or borrower) does not exceed 10 per cent. of the aggregate principal amount of indebtedness for borrowed money of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries (as defined below), on a consolidated basis, as of such time, as further described in the sections entitled "Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes — Status of the Notes and the Guarantee – Termination of Guarantee" and "Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes — Status of the Notes and the Guarantee – Termination of Guarantee".

A6.1 A6.2

Any Notes issued under the Programme after the Guarantee Termination Date (as defined in Condition 2(c) (Termination of Guarantee) of the Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes and of the Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes) will not be guaranteed by Equinor Energy AS.

Substitution: The terms of the Notes will contain a provision permitting the substitution, without the consent of Noteholders, of a subsidiary of the Issuer as principal debtor in respect of the relevant Series of Notes, subject to satisfaction of further conditions, as further described in "Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes — Substitution" and "Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes — Substitution".
Rating: Notes issued pursuant to the Programme may be rated or unrated. Where an issue of Notes is rated, its rating will not necessarily be the same as the rating applicable to the Programme. A rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities and may be subject to suspension, reduction or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating agency. The rating of certain Series of Notes to be issued under the Programme may be specified in the applicable Final Terms.
Listing: Application has been made to the FCA for Notes (other than VPS Notes) issued under the Programme up to the expiry of 12 months from the date of this Offering Circular to be admitted to the Official List and to the London Stock Exchange for such Notes to be admitted to trading on the London Stock Exchange's regulated market.

Applications may be made to list VPS Notes and admit VPS Notes to trading on the regulated market of the Oslo Børs. Any such applications will be in accordance with applicable laws and regulations governing the listing of VPS Notes on the Oslo Børs from time to time.

Governing Law: The Notes (other than VPS Notes) and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with such Notes will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, English law.

The VPS Notes (save for Conditions 1 (Form, Denomination and Title), 2(a) (Status of the VPS Notes), 2(b) (Status of Guarantee), 10 (Meetings of VPS Noteholders, Modification and Waiver) and 12 (VPS Trustee) of the Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes) and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with such VPS Notes will be governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, English law. Conditions 1 (Form, Denomination and Title), 2(a) (Status of the VPS Notes), 2(b) (Status of Guarantee), 10 (Meetings of VPS Noteholders, Modification and Waiver) and 12 (VPS Trustee) of the Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes will be governed by and construed in accordance with Norwegian law.

The VPS Notes must comply with the Norwegian Securities Register Act of 5 July 2002 no. 64, as amended or replaced from time to time, and the holders of VPS Notes will be entitled to the

rights and subject to the obligations and liabilities which arise under this Act and any related regulations and legislation.

The registration of VPS Notes in the VPS as well as the recording and transfer of ownership to, and other interests in, VPS Notes will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, Norwegian law.

Selling Restrictions: There are selling restrictions on the offer, sale and transfer of the Notes in the United States, the EEA (including France, Norway and Belgium and, for these purposes, the UK), Switzerland, Japan and Singapore and such other restrictions as may be required in connection with the offering and sale of a particular Tranche of Notes. See the section entitled "Subscription and Sale" below.

Category 2 restrictions set out in Regulation S under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended apply to the Notes. The Notes (other than VPS Notes) will be issued in compliance with the TEFRA D rules.

RISK FACTORS

In purchasing Notes, investors assume the risk that the Issuer and the Guarantor may become insolvent or otherwise be unable to make all payments due in respect of the Notes. There is a wide range of factors which individually or together could result in the Issuer and the Guarantor becoming unable to make all payments due in respect of the Notes. It is not possible to identify all such factors or to determine which factors are most likely to occur, as the Issuer and the Guarantor may not be aware of all relevant factors and certain factors which they currently deem not to be material may become material as a result of the occurrence of events outside the Issuer's and the Guarantor's control. The Issuer and the Guarantor have identified in this Offering Circular a number of factors which could materially adversely affect their businesses and ability to make payments due under the Notes and believe that the factors described below represent, as of the date of this Offering Circular, the principal risks inherent in investing in the Notes issued under the Programme.

In addition, factors which are material for the purpose of assessing the market risks associated with Notes issued under the Programme are also described below.

The Guarantor is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Issuer and engaged in the same business as the Issuer. The risk factors mentioned in this Offering Circular apply to the Guarantor unless the context requires otherwise.

Factors that may affect the Issuer's ability to fulfil its obligation under Notes issued under the Programme and the Guarantor's ability to fulfil its obligations under the Guarantee

Risks related to Equinor's business, strategy and operations

Fluctuating prices of oil and/or natural gas impact Equinor's financial performance.

Generally, Equinor does not have control over the factors that affect the prices of oil and natural gas.

The prices of oil and natural gas have fluctuated significantly over the last few years. There are several reasons for these fluctuations, but fundamental market forces beyond the control of Equinor or other similar market participants have impacted and will continue to impact oil and natural gas prices in the future.

Factors that affect the prices of oil and natural gas include:

economic and political developments in resource-producing regions
global and regional supply and demand;
the ability of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC); and/or other producing nations to influence global production levels and prices;
adverse social and health situations in any country, including an epidemic or pandemic, measures taken by governments and non-governmental organisations in response to such situations, and the effects of such situations on demand;
prices of alternative fuels that affect the prices realised under Equinor's long-term gas sales contracts; regulations and actions of governments and international organisations, including changes in energy and climate policies;
global economic conditions;
war or other international conflicts;
changes in population growth and consumer preferences;
the price and availability of new technology;
increased supply from new oil and gas sources; and
weather conditions.

Recently, there has been significant price volatility, triggered, among other things by the changing dynamic among OPEC+ (i.e., OPEC and its allies) members and the uncertainty regarding demand created by the Covid-19 pandemic. See also the risk factor entitled "The Covid-19 pandemic could affect demand for, and supply of, oil and gas, commodity prices and Equinor's ability to operate its facilities effectively" below.

Decreases in oil and/or natural gas prices could have an adverse effect on Equinor's business, the results of operations, financial condition and liquidity and Equinor's ability to finance planned capital expenditure, including possible reductions in capital expenditures, which in turn could lead to reduced reserve replacement.

A significant or prolonged period of low oil and natural gas prices or other indicators could, if deemed to have longer term impact, lead to reviews for impairment of the Group's oil and natural gas assets. Such reviews would reflect management's view of long-term oil and natural gas prices and could result in a charge for impairment that could have a significant effect on the results of Equinor's operations in the period in which it occurs.

Changes in management's view on long-term oil and/or natural gas prices or further material reductions in oil, gas and/or product prices could have an adverse impact on the economic viability of projects that are planned or in development. See Note 2 (Significant accounting policies) to the Issuer's financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2019 (as contained in the Issuer 2019 Consolidated Financial Statements (as defined below)) for a discussion of key sources of uncertainty with respect to management's estimates and assumptions that affect Equinor's reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses and Note 10 (Property, plants and equipment) to the Issuer's financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2019 (as contained in the Issuer 2019 Consolidated Financial Statements) as well as Note 6 (Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets) to the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements of the Issuer for the period ended 31 March 2020 – 1st quarter 2020 (which are incorporated herein by reference, the Q1 2020 Financial Statements) for a discussion of price assumptions and sensitivities affecting the impairment analysis.

Fluctuations in oil and gas prices will also have a direct impact on Equinor's proved reserves. See the risk factor entitled "Equinor's crude oil and natural gas reserves are based on estimates and Equinor's future production, revenues and expenditures with respect to its reserves may differ from these estimates" for further discussion.

See also the risk factor entitled "A transition to a lower carbon economy will impact Equinor's business and entails risks related to policy, legal, regulatory, market, technology and reputation" for a discussion of energy transition-related risks to oil and natural gas prices, and the risk factor entitled "Failure to acquire, discover and develop additional reserves, will result in material decline of reserves and production from current levels" for a discussion of how oil prices affect the development of reserves.

See also Note 8 (Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and oil price decline) to the Q1 2020 Financial Statements and the section entitled "Equinor – Recent Developments".

The Covid-19 pandemic could affect demand for, and supply of, oil and gas, commodity prices and Equinor's ability to operate its facilities effectively.

Recently, the Covid-19 pandemic has been declared a global emergency by the World Health Organisation (WHO), and has made countries and organisations, including Equinor, take measures to mitigate risk for communities, employees and business operations. A continued development of the pandemic and mitigating actions implemented by health authorities create uncertainty related to commodity prices and demand for, and supply of, oil and gas, as well as uncertainty related to the key assumptions applied in the valuation of Equinor's assets (which could have the impacts described in the risk factor entitled "Fluctuating prices of oil and/or natural gas impact Equinor's financial performance").

On 25 March 2020, Equinor presented an updated outlook for 2020 and a USD 3 billion action plan to strengthen its financial resilience in 2020 in light of the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and low commodity prices (such announcement, the "25 March Press Release", is incorporated by reference herein). The cost reductions contemplated by the action plan include halting drilling and completion activities in Equinor's US onshore portfolio in order to produce volumes at a later period, reducing exploration activity and reducing operating costs. As of the date of this Offering Circular, the Covid-19 pandemic continues to progress and evolve, and currently it is challenging to predict the full extent and duration of resulting operational and economic impact for Equinor. In addition, actions to ensure safety of personnel, potential disruptions in the supply chain and the consequences of the spread of the virus could also affect Equinor's ability to operate its facilities at planned levels, to maintain projected levels of production and to execute on its project portfolio.

See also Note 8 (Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and oil price decline) to the Q1 2020 Financial Statements and the section entitled "Equinor – Recent Developments".

Equinor's crude oil and natural gas reserves are based on estimates and Equinor's future production, revenues and expenditures with respect to its reserves may differ from these estimates.

The reliability of Equinor's reserve estimates is dependent on:

the quality and quantity of Equinor's geological, technical and economic data;
the production performance of Equinor's reservoirs;
extensive engineering judgments; and
whether the prevailing tax rules and other government regulations, contracts and oil, gas and other prices will remain the same as on the date the estimates are made.

Many of the factors, assumptions and variables involved in estimating reserves are beyond Equinor's control and may prove to be incorrect over time. The results of drilling, testing and production after the date of the estimates may require substantial upward or downward revisions in Equinor's reserve data.

In addition, proved reserves (i.e., those quantities of oil and gas, which, by analysis of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible from a given date forward, from known reservoirs, and under existing economic conditions, operating methods and government regulations) are estimated based on US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requirements and may therefore differ substantially from Equinor's view on expected reserves. The prices used for proved reserves are defined by the SEC and are calculated based on a 12-month unweighted arithmetic average of the first day of the month price for each month during the reporting year, leading to a forward price strongly linked to last year's price environment.

Fluctuations in oil and gas prices will have a direct impact on Equinor's proved reserves. For fields governed by production sharing agreements (PSAs) (i.e., agreements pursuant to which the host government typically retains the right to the hydrocarbons in place, while the contractor receives a share of the production for services performed), a lower price may lead to higher entitlement to the production and increased reserves for those fields. Conversely, a lower price environment may also lead to lower activity resulting in reduced reserves. For PSAs, these two effects may to some degree offset each other. In addition, a low-price environment may result in earlier shutdown due to uneconomic production. This will affect both PSAs and fields with concession types of agreement.

See also Note 1 (Organisation and basis of preparation – Use of estimates) and Note 8 (Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and oil price decline) to the Q1 2020 Financial Statements.

Equinor is engaged in global activities that involve several technical, commercial and country-specific risks.

Technical risks of Equinor's exploration activities relate to Equinor's ability to conduct its seismic and drilling operations in a safe and efficient manner and to encounter commercially productive oil and gas reservoirs.

Technical risks of Equinor's renewable energy activities relate to Equinor's ability to design and perform renewable projects, including assembly and installation of wind turbines and solar panels for Equinor's wind and solar farms, respectively, as well as their operation and maintenance.

Commercial risks relate to Equinor's ability to secure access to new business opportunities in an uncertain global, competitive environment and to recruit and maintain competent personnel.

Country-specific risks relate, among other things, to health, safety and security, the political environment, compliance with and understanding of local laws, regulatory requirements and/or licence agreements, and impact on the environment and the communities in which Equinor operates.

These risks may adversely affect Equinor's current operations and financial results, and, for its oil and gas activities, its long-term replacement of reserves.

Failure to acquire, discover and develop additional reserves will result in material decline of reserves and production from current levels.

Equinor's future production is dependent on its success in acquiring or finding and developing additional reserves adding value. If unsuccessful, future total proved reserves and production will decline.

Successful implementation of Equinor's group strategy for value growth is dependent on sustaining its long-term reserve replacement. If upstream resources are not progressed to prove reserves in a timely manner, Equinor's reserve base, and thereby future production, will gradually decline and future revenue will be reduced.

In particular, in a number of resource-rich countries, national oil companies control a significant proportion of oil and gas reserves that remain to be developed. To the extent that national oil companies choose to develop their oil and gas resources without the participation of international oil companies, or if Equinor is unable to develop partnerships with national oil companies, its ability to find and acquire or develop additional reserves will be limited.

In addition, Equinor's US onshore portfolio contains significant amounts of undeveloped resources that depend on Equinor's ability to develop these successfully. Low oil and/or gas prices over a sustained period of time may result in Equinor deciding not to develop these resources or at least deferring development awaiting improved prices. See, for instance, the latest developments in respect of Equinor's USD 3 billion action plan, as discussed in the risk factor entitled "The Covid-19 pandemic could affect demand for, and supply of, oil and gas, commodity prices and Equinor's ability to operate its facilities effectively".

Equinor is exposed to a wide range of health, safety and environmental risks that could result in significant losses.

Exploration, project development, operation and transportation related to oil and natural gas, as well as development and operation of renewable energy production, can be hazardous. In addition, Equinor's activities and operations are affected by external factors like difficult geographies, climate zones and environmentally sensitive regions.

Risks that could affect health, safety and the environment include human error, operational failures, detrimental substances, subsurface behaviour, technical integrity failures, vessel collisions, natural disasters, adverse weather conditions and other occurrences. These risks could, among other things, lead to blowouts, structural collapses, loss of containment of hydrocarbons or other hazardous materials, fires, explosions and water contamination that cause harm to people, loss of life or environmental damage.

In particular, all modes of transportation of hydrocarbons - including road, rail, sea or pipeline - are particularly susceptible to a loss of containment of hydrocarbons and other hazardous materials and represent a significant risk to people and the environment. See also the risk factor entitled "Equinor is exposed to risks as a result of its use of hydraulic fracturing".

As operations are subject to inherent uncertainty, it is not possible to guarantee that Equinor's risk management system or other policies and procedures will be able to identify all aspects of health, safety and environmental risks. It is also not possible to say with certainty that all activities will be carried out in accordance with these systems.

Failure to comply with such systems and/or the materialisation of these risks could adversely impact Equinor's reputation and lead to significant losses, thus materially adversely affecting Equinor's results of operations.

A transition to a lower carbon economy will impact Equinor's business and entails risks related to policy, legal, regulatory, market, technology and reputation.

Risks related to changes in policies, laws and regulations: Equinor expects and is preparing for regulatory changes and policy measures targeted at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Stricter climate regulations and policies could impact Equinor's financial outlook, including the carrying value of its assets, whether directly through changes in taxation or other costs to operations and projects, or indirectly through changes in consumer behaviour or technology developments.

Equinor expects GHG emission costs to increase from current levels and to have a wider geographical range than at the date of this Offering Circular. Equinor applies an internal carbon price of at least USD 55 per tonne of CO² in investment analysis. In countries where the actual or predicted carbon price is higher than USD 55, Equinor applies the actual or expected cost, such as in Norway where both a CO² tax and the EU Emission Trading System (EU ETS) apply.

Other regulatory risks entail litigation risk and potential direct regulations in line with increasing carbon neutrality ambitions in various jurisdictions, such as the EU's European Green Deal. Climate-related policy changes may also reduce access to prospective geographical areas for future exploration and production. Disruptive developments may not be ruled out, possibly triggered by severe weather events affecting public perception and policy-making.

Market and technology risks: A transition to a low carbon economy contributes to uncertainty over future demand and prices for oil and gas as described in the risk factor entitled "Fluctuating prices of oil and/or natural gas impact Equinor's financial performance". Increased demand for and improved cost competitiveness of renewable energy, and innovation and technology changes supporting the further development and use of renewable energy and low-carbon technologies, represent both threats and opportunities for Equinor (see, for instance, the risk factors entitled "Equinor is engaged in global activities that involve several technical, commercial and country-specific risks" and "Equinor encounters competition from other companies in all areas of its operations. Equinor could be adversely affected if competitors move faster than it in the development and deployment of new technologies and products"). The effectiveness of the choices Equinor makes regarding investing in and pursuing renewable business opportunities is subject to risk and uncertainty.

Portfolio stress test: Since 2015, Equinor has been performing an annual sensitivity test of its portfolio against the International Energy Agency's (IEA) energy scenarios described in their World Energy Outlook (WEO) reports. The WEO 2019 report describes three scenarios: Current Policies, Stated Policies and Sustainable Development scenarios. These scenarios have different oil, gas and CO² price assumptions, which are applied in the sensitivity testing to Equinor's project and asset portfolio. The results are compared to the results generated based on Equinor's own economic planning assumptions.

The Sustainable Development (SDS) scenario is a "well below 2°C" scenario (1.7-1.8 °C). However, according to the report of the International Panel on Climate Change on impacts of a 1.5 °C scenario, the oil and gas demand needs to be lower in such a scenario than in a "well below 2°C" scenario and thus represents a larger downside for Equinor than estimated in the SDS scenario. To cater for this uncertainty, Equinor has added a sensitivity to the IEA price, where it applies a gradual reduction in the oil price to a long-term price of 50 USD per barrel (USD/bbl) in 2040, which is 9 USD/bbl lower than the long-term oil price of 59 USD/bbl in the SDS. Under the Current Policies and the Stated Policies scenarios, Equinor would expect to see an increase in portfolio value, but under the SDS scenario (using both the IEA price assumptions and Equinor's USD 50/bbl assumption), there would be a significant value reduction.

Reputational and financial impact: Increased concern over climate change could lead to increased expectations on fossil fuel producers, as well as a more negative perception of the oil and gas industry. This could lead to litigation and divestment risk and could also have an impact on talent attraction and retention and on Equinor's licences to operate in certain jurisdictions.

All of the above risks could lead to an increased cost of capital for Equinor. For example, certain lenders have recently indicated that they will direct or restrict their lending activities based on environmental parameters.

The Equinor Climate Roadmap (as defined and further described in "Equinor – Recent Developments"), including climate ambitions, has been established to manage these risks related to climate change. There is no assurance that Equinor's climate ambitions will be achieved. The achievement of Equinor's net carbon intensity ambition depends, in part, on broader societal shifts in consumer demands and technological advancements, each of which are beyond Equinor's control. Should society's demands and technological innovation not shift in parallel with Equinor's pursuit of significant GHG emission reductions, Equinor's ability to meet its climate ambitions will be impaired.

Changes in physical climate parameters could impact Equinor's operations.

Examples of parameters that could impact Equinor's operations include increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events, rising sea levels, changes in sea currents and restrained water availability. There is also uncertainty regarding the magnitude and time horizon for the occurrence of physical impacts of climate change, which increases uncertainty regarding their potential impact on Equinor.

Equinor is exposed to risks as a result of its use of hydraulic fracturing.

Equinor's US operations use hydraulic fracturing which is subject to a range of applicable federal, state and local laws, including those discussed in the risk factors under the heading "Legal, regulatory and compliance risks". A case of subsurface migration of hydraulic fracturing fluids or a case of spillage or mishandling of hydraulic fracturing fluids during these activities could subject Equinor to civil and/or criminal liability and the possibility of incurring substantial costs, including for environmental remediation. In addition, various states and local governments have implemented, or are considering, increased regulatory oversight of hydraulic fracturing through additional permit requirements, operational restrictions, disclosure requirements and temporary or permanent bans. Changes to the applicable regulatory regimes could make it more difficult to complete oil and natural gas wells in shale formations, cause operational delays, increase costs of regulatory compliance or in exploration and production, which could adversely affect Equinor's US onshore business and the demand for its fracturing services.

Equinor is exposed to security threats that could have a material adverse effect on Equinor's results of operations and financial condition.

Security threats such as acts of terrorism, cyberattacks and insider threats against Equinor's production and exploration facilities, offices, pipelines, means of transportation, digital infrastructure or computer or information systems, or breaches of Equinor's security system, could result in losses. In particular, the scale, sophistication and severity of cyberattacks continue to evolve. Increasing digitisation and reliance on information technology (IT) systems make managing cyberrisk a priority for many industries, including the energy industry.

Failure to manage these risks could result in injury or loss of life, damage to the environment, damage to or the destruction of wells and production facilities, pipelines and other property. Equinor could face, among other things, regulatory action, legal liability, damage to its reputation, a significant reduction in revenues, an increase in costs, a shutdown of operations and a loss of its investments in affected areas.

In particular, failure to maintain and develop IT security barriers, which are intended to protect Equinor's information systems and digital infrastructure from being compromised by unauthorised parties, may affect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of Equinor's information systems and digital infrastructure, including those critical to its operations. Attacks on Equinor's information systems could result in significant financial damage to Equinor, including as a result of material losses or loss of life due to such attacks.

In addition, failure to remediate the material weakness in Equinor's internal control over financial reporting due to control deficiencies in the operation of controls related to Equinor's management of IT access controls could increase its exposure to a cyber-attack on Equinor's information systems. See also the risk factor entitled "Failure to remediate the material weakness in Equinor's internal control over financial reporting could cause internal control over financial reporting to continue to be ineffective and could cause investors to lose confidence in Equinor's reported financial information".

Equinor's crisis management systems may prove inadequate, which could adversely affect Equinor's business, operations and reputation.

If Equinor does not respond or is perceived not to have responded in an appropriate manner to either an external or internal crisis, or if its plans to carry on or recover operations following a disruption or incident are not effectuated, or not effectuated quickly enough, its business, operations and reputation could be severely affected. Inability to restore or replace critical capacity could prolong the impact of any disruption and could severely affect Equinor's business and operations. A crisis or disruption might occur as a result of a security or cybersecurity incident or if a risk described in the risk factor entitled "Equinor is exposed to a wide range of health, safety and environmental risks that could result in significant losses" materialises.

Equinor encounters competition from other companies in all areas of its operations. Equinor could be adversely affected if competitors move faster than it in the development and deployment of new technologies and products.

Equinor may experience increased competition from larger players with stronger financial resources, from smaller ones with increased agility and flexibility and from an increasing number of companies applying new business models. Gaining access to commercial resources via licence acquisition, exploration, or development of existing assets is key to ensuring the long-term economic viability of the business and failure to address this could negatively impact future performance.

Technology and innovation are key competitive advantages in Equinor's industry. The ability to maintain efficient operations, develop and adapt to innovative technologies and digital solutions and seek profitable low-carbon energy solutions are key success factors for future business and resulting performance. Competitors may be able to invest more than Equinor in developing or acquiring intellectual property rights to technology. Equinor could be adversely affected if it lags behind competitors and the industry in general in the development or adoption of innovative technologies, including digitalisation and low-carbon energy solutions.

Equinor's development projects and production operations involve uncertainties and operating risks which could prevent Equinor from realising profits and cause substantial losses.

Oil and gas projects and renewable projects may be curtailed, delayed or cancelled for many reasons, including equipment shortages or failures, natural hazards, unexpected drilling conditions or reservoir characteristics, irregularities in geological formations, challenging soil conditions, accidents, mechanical and technical difficulties, challenges due to new technology or inadequate investment decision basis. This is particularly relevant for Equinor's activities in deep waters or other harsh environments. A significant proportion of Equinor's activities are in such environments. For instance, most of Equinor's oil and gas resources in Brazil are in deep-water areas, some more than 2,900 metres deep. A materialisation of any of the aforementioned risks in such projects could lead to a temporary shutdown of the relevant project and prevent Equinor from realising profits. See also the uncertainties highlighted with US onshore production, as discussed in the risk factor entitled "The Covid-19 pandemic could affect demand for, and supply of, oil and gas, commodity prices and Equinor's ability to operate its facilities effectively".

Equinor may not achieve its strategic objective of successfully exploiting profitable opportunities.

Equinor intends to continue to nurture attractive commercial opportunities to create value. This may involve acquisition of new businesses, properties or moving into new markets. Failure by Equinor to successfully pursue and exploit new business opportunities, including in new energy solutions, could result in financial losses and inhibit value creation.

Equinor's ability to achieve this strategic objective depends on several factors, including the ability to:

maintain Equinor's zero-harm safety culture;
identify suitable opportunities;
build a significant and profitable renewables portfolio on the expected timeline;
achieve its ambitions to reduce net carbon intensity and reach carbon neutral global operations on the expected timeline;
negotiate favourable terms;
compete efficiently in the rising global competition for access to new opportunities;
develop new market opportunities or acquire properties or businesses in an agile and efficient way;
effectively integrate acquired properties or businesses into Equinor's operations;
arrange financing, if necessary; and
comply with legal regulations.

Equinor anticipates significant investments and costs as it cultivates business opportunities in new and existing markets. New projects and acquisitions may have different embedded risks than Equinor's existing portfolio. As a result, new projects and acquisitions could result in unanticipated liabilities, losses or costs, as well as Equinor having to revise its forecasts either or both with respect to unit production costs and production. In addition, the pursuit of acquisitions or new business opportunities could divert financial and management resources away from Equinor's day-to-day operations to the integration of acquired operations or properties. Equinor may require additional debt or equity financing to undertake or consummate future acquisitions or projects, and such financing may not be available on terms satisfactory to Equinor, if at all, and it may, in the case of equity, be dilutive to Equinor's earnings per share.

The profitability of Equinor's oil, gas and power production in remote areas may be affected by infrastructure constraints.

Equinor's ability to commercially exploit discovered petroleum resources depends, among other factors, on infrastructure to transport oil and gas to potential buyers at a commercial price. Oil is transported by vessels, rail or pipelines to refineries, and natural gas is transported to processing plants and end users by pipeline or vessels (for liquefied natural gas). Equinor's ability to commercially exploit renewable opportunities depends on available infrastructure to transmit electric power to potential buyers at a commercial price. Electricity is transmitted through power transmission and distribution lines. Equinor must secure access to a power system with sufficient capacity to transmit the electric power to the customers. Equinor may be unsuccessful in its efforts to secure transportation, transmission and markets for all its potential production.

Equinor has interests in regions where political, social and economic instability could adversely affect Equinor's business.

Equinor has assets and operations in several regions around the globe where negative political, social and economic developments could occur. These developments and related security threats require continuous monitoring. Political instability, civil strife, strikes, insurrections, acts of terrorism and acts of war, adverse and hostile actions against Equinor's staff, its facilities, its transportation systems and its digital infrastructure (cyberattacks) may cause harm to people and disrupt or curtail Equinor's operations and business opportunities, lead to a decline in production and otherwise adversely affect Equinor's business, operations, results and financial condition.

Recently, the UK's exit from the EU has created uncertainty with respect to the UK's future relationship with the EU. In particular, this uncertainty affects Equinor as it relates to future energy and trade policies and the movement of people.

Equinor also has investments in Argentina where newly adopted foreign exchange and price regulations could adversely affect Equinor's business.

Equinor may not be able to secure the right level of workforce competence and capacity, which could have an adverse effect on Equinor's business and prospects.

As the energy industry is a long-term business, it needs to take a long-term perspective on workforce capacity and competence. The successful delivery of Equinor's business strategy depends on the skills and efforts of its employees and management teams. However, the uncertainty of the future of the oil industry, in light of potential reduced oil and natural gas prices, climate policy changes, as well as the climate debate affecting the perception of the industry, pose a risk to securing the right level of workforce competence and capacity through industry cycles. Failure to secure the right level of workforce competence and capacity could thus have an adverse effect on Equinor's business and prospects.

Equinor's insurance coverage may not provide adequate protection from losses.

Equinor maintains insurance coverage that includes coverage for physical damage to its properties, third-party liability, workers' compensation and employers' liability, general liability, sudden pollution and other coverage. Equinor's insurance coverage includes deductibles that must be met prior to recovery and is subject to caps, exclusions and limitations. There is no assurance that such coverage will adequately protect Equinor against liability from all potential consequences and damages. Uninsured losses could have a material adverse effect on Equinor's financial position.

Legal, regulatory and compliance risks

Equinor's operations are subject to dynamic political and legal factors in the countries in which it operates.

Equinor has assets in several countries with emerging or transitioning economies that, in part or in whole, lack well-functioning and reliable legal systems, where the enforcement of contractual rights is uncertain or where the governmental and regulatory framework is subject to unexpected change. Equinor's oil and gas exploration and production activities in these countries are often undertaken together with national oil companies and are subject to a significant degree of state control. In recent years, governments and national oil companies in some regions have begun to exercise greater authority and to impose more stringent conditions on energy companies. Intervention by governments in such countries can take a wide variety of forms, including:

restrictions on exploration, production, imports and exports;
the awarding or denial of exploration and production interests;
the imposition of specific seismic and/or drilling obligations;
price and exchange controls;
tax or royalty increases, including retroactive claims;
nationalisation or expropriation of Equinor's assets;
unilateral cancellation or modification of Equinor's licence or contractual rights;
the renegotiation of contracts;
payment delays; and
currency exchange restrictions or currency devaluation.

The likelihood of these occurrences and their overall effect on Equinor vary greatly from country to country and are hard to predict. If such risks materialise, they could cause Equinor to incur material costs, cause decrease in production, and potentially have a material adverse effect on Equinor's operations or financial condition.

Policies and actions of the Norwegian State could affect Equinor's business.

The Norwegian State governs the management of the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) hydrocarbon resources through legislation, such as the Norwegian Petroleum Act, tax laws and safety and environmental laws and regulations. The Norwegian State awards licences for exploration, development projects, production, transportation and applications for production rates for individual fields. The Petroleum Act provides that if important public interests are at stake, the Norwegian State may instruct operators on the NCS to reduce petroleum production.

The Norwegian State has a direct participation in petroleum activities through the State's direct financial interest (SDFI). In the production licences in which the SDFI holds an interest, the Norwegian State has the power to direct petroleum licencees' actions in certain circumstances.

If the Norwegian State were to change laws, regulations, policies or practices relating to energy or to the oil and gas industry (including in response to environmental, social or governance concerns), or take additional action under its activities on the NCS, Equinor's international and/or NCS exploration, development and production activities and the results of its operations could be affected.

See also Note 8 (Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and oil price decline) to the Q1 2020 Financial Statements, which includes information on proposed temporary amendments to the Norwegian petroleum tax system as well as unilateral oil production cuts announced by the Norwegian and other governments.

Compliance with health, safety and environmental laws and regulations that apply to Equinor's activities and operations could materially increase Equinor's costs. The enactment of, or changes to, such laws and regulations could increase such costs or create compliance challenges.

Equinor incurs, and expects to continue to incur, substantial capital, operating, maintenance and remediation costs relating to compliance with increasingly complex laws and regulations for the protection of the environment and human health and safety, as well as in response to concerns relating to climate change, including:

higher prices on GHG emissions;
costs of preventing, controlling, eliminating or reducing certain types of emissions to air and discharges to the sea;
remediation of environmental contamination and adverse impacts caused by Equinor's activities;
decommissioning obligations and related costs; and
compensation of costs related to persons and/or entities claiming damages as a result of Equinor's activities.

In particular, Equinor's activities are increasingly subject to statutory strict liability in respect of losses or damage suffered as a result of pollution caused by spills or discharges of petroleum from petroleum facilities.

Equinor's investments in US onshore producing assets are subject to evolving regulations that could affect these operations and their profitability. In the United States, federal agencies have taken steps to rescind, delay, or revise regulations seen as overly burdensome to the upstream oil and gas sector, including methane emission controls. Equinor supports federal regulation of methane emissions and aims to operate in compliance with all current requirements. Equinor has also joined voluntary emission reduction programmes (One Future and American Petroleum Institute's Environmental Partnership) and implemented the Equinor Climate Roadmap to reduce CO² and methane emissions. To the extent new or revised regulations impose additional compliance or data gathering requirements, Equinor could incur higher operating costs.

Compliance with laws, regulations and obligations relating to climate change and other health, safety and environmental laws and regulations could result in substantial capital expenditure, reduced profitability as a result of changes in operating costs, and adverse effects on revenue generation and strategic growth opportunities. However, more stringent climate change regulations could also represent business opportunities for Equinor. For more information about climate change-related legal and regulatory risks, see the risks described under the risk factor entitled "A transition to a lower carbon economy will impact Equinor's business and entails risks related to policy, legal, regulatory, market, technology and reputation".

Equinor conducts business in many countries and its products are marketed and traded worldwide. Violations of applicable laws and regulations may lead to legal liability, substantial fines and other sanctions for non-compliance.

Equinor is exposed to risk of supervision, review and sanctions for violations of laws and regulations at the supranational, national and local level. These include, among others, laws and regulations relating to financial reporting, taxation, bribery and corruption, securities and commodities trading, fraud, competition and antitrust, safety and the environment, and labour and employment practices.

Equinor is subject to supervision by the Norwegian Petroleum Supervisor (PSA), which supervises all aspects of Equinor's operations, from exploration drilling through development and operation, to cessation and removal. Its regulatory authority covers the whole NCS as well as petroleum-related plants on land in Norway. As its business grows internationally, Equinor may become subject to supervision or be required to report to other regulators, and such supervision could result in audit reports, orders and investigations.

Equinor is listed on both the Oslo Børs and New York Stock Exchange and is a reporting company under the rules and regulations of the SEC. Equinor is required to comply with the continuing obligations of these regulatory authorities, and violation of these obligations may result in legal liability, the imposition of fines and other sanctions.

Equinor is also subject to financial review from financial supervisory authorities such as the Norwegian Financial Supervisory Authority and the SEC. Reviews performed by these authorities could result in changes to previously published financial statements and future accounting practices. In addition, failure of external reporting to report data accurately and in compliance with applicable standards could result in regulatory action, legal liability and damage to Equinor's reputation.

Equinor is also exposed to potentially adverse changes in the tax regimes of each jurisdiction in which Equinor operates. Changes in the tax laws of the countries in which Equinor operates could have a material adverse effect on its liquidity and results of operations.

Failure to remediate the material weakness in Equinor's internal control over financial reporting could cause internal control over financial reporting to continue to be ineffective and could cause investors to lose confidence in Equinor's reported financial information.

Equinor's management and external auditors have concluded that Equinor's internal control over financial reporting as of 31 December 2019 was not effective due to the existence of control deficiencies in the operation of controls related to Equinor's management of IT user access controls as described under section 3.10 (Risk management and internal control) of the 2019 Annual Report (which is incorporated into this Offering Circular by reference) and internal controls that in aggregate represent a material weakness in Equinor's internal control over financial reporting. Equinor's management is actively taking remediation efforts to address this material weakness. However, there is no assurance as to when such remediation will be completed or that additional material weaknesses will not occur in the future. These deficiencies did not result in a material misstatement to the Issuer 2019 Consolidated Financial Statements. However, until remediated, these deficiencies could result in a material misstatement to the Issuer's future financial statements that would not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Failure to remediate the material weakness could cause internal control over financial reporting to continue to be ineffective and could also cause investors to lose confidence in reported financial information.

Non-compliance with anti-bribery, anti-corruption and other applicable laws, including failure to meet Equinor's ethical requirements, including its human rights policy, exposes Equinor to legal liability and damage to its reputation, business and shareholder value.

Equinor has activities in countries which present corruption risks and which may have weak protection of human rights, weak legal institutions and lack centralised control and transparency. In addition, governments play a significant role in the energy sector, through ownership of resources, participation, licencing and local content, which leads to a high level of interaction with public officials. Equinor is subject to anti-corruption and bribery laws in multiple jurisdictions, including the Norwegian Penal code, the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the UK Bribery Act. A violation of any applicable anti-corruption or bribery laws could expose Equinor to investigations from multiple authorities and may lead to criminal and/or civil liability with substantial fines.

Incidents of non-compliance with applicable anti-corruption and bribery laws and regulations and the Equinor Code of Conduct (as further described in section 3.10 (Risk management and internal control) of the 2019 Annual Report) could be damaging to Equinor's reputation, competitive position and shareholder value. Similarly, failure to uphold Equinor's human rights policy (which has been created to be consistent with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and which addresses the most relevant human rights issues pertaining to Equinor's operations and role as an employer, business partner, buyer and to its presence in local communities) may damage Equinor's reputation and social licence to operate.

Equinor's activities may be affected by international sanctions and trade restrictions, any breach of which could result in substantial civil and/or criminal penalties and could materially adversely affect Equinor's business and results of operations or financial condition.

In 2019 there were several changes to sanctions and international trade restrictions. Equinor seeks to comply with these where they are applicable. Given that Equinor has a diverse portfolio of projects worldwide, this could expose its business and financial affairs to political and economic risks, including operations in markets or sectors targeted by sanctions and international trade restrictions.

Sanctions and trade restrictions are complex, are becoming less predictable and are often implemented on short notice. For example, in 2019, new trade restrictions were introduced in relation to Turkey, where Equinor has activities. Equinor's business portfolio is evolving and will constantly be subject to review. Given the current trend in relation to the use of trade restrictions, it is possible that Equinor will decide to take part in new business activity in markets or sectors where sanctions and trade restrictions are particularly relevant.

While Equinor remains committed to do business in compliance with sanctions and trade restrictions and takes steps to ensure, to the extent possible, compliance therewith, there can be no assurance that no Equinor entity, officer, director, employee or agent is not in violation of such sanctions and trade restrictions. Any such violation, even if minor in monetary terms, could result in substantial civil and/or criminal penalties and could materially adversely affect Equinor's business and results of operations or financial condition.

Equinor continues to take part in business activities in Russia, where it holds an interest in several on- and offshore oil and gas projects. Some of these projects result from a strategic cooperation with Rosneft Oil Company (Rosneft) initiated in 2012. In each of these projects, Rosneft holds the majority interest. A minority of the projects are in Arctic offshore and/or deep-water areas. Norwegian, EU and US trade restrictions and sanctions target several sectors in Russia, including the financial and energy sector, and Rosneft itself is targeted. Accordingly, the manner in which Equinor conducts its business in Russia is affected. Moreover, Equinor's ability to continue to progress its projects in Russia relies in part on government authorisations as well as the future of sanctions and trade controls. While Equinor continues to pursue and expand its business in Russia within existing sanctions and trade controls, it is possible that future political developments could impact Equinor's ability to continue and conclude its projects as envisaged.

In Venezuela, Equinor is a 9.67 per cent. shareholder in the mixed company Petrocedeno, which is majority owned by Venezuelan national oil company, Petróleos de Venezuela, SA (PDVSA). In addition, Equinor holds a 51 per cent. interest in a gas licence offshore Venezuela. Since 2017, various international sanctions and trade controls have targeted certain Venezuelan individuals as well as the Government of Venezuela and PDVSA. In January 2019, PDVSA, and consequently its subsidiary Petrocedeno, were designated as blocked parties by the US Office of Foreign Asset Control. The international sanctions and trade controls in place restrict to a large extent the way Equinor can conduct its business in Venezuela, and could, alone or in combination with other factors, further negatively impact Equinor's position and ability to continue its business projects in Venezuela.

Many of Equinor's activities are conducted through joint arrangements and with contractors and sub-contractors which may limit Equinor's influence and control over the performance of such operations. This exposes Equinor to financial, operational, safety and compliance risks if the operators, partners or contractors fail to fulfil their responsibilities.

Operators, partners and contractors may be unable or unwilling to compensate Equinor against costs incurred on their behalf or on behalf of the arrangement. Equinor is also exposed to enforcement actions by regulators or claimants in the event of an incident in an operation where it does not exercise operational control.

Equinor's business is exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations that could adversely affect the results of Equinor's operations.

A large percentage of Equinor's revenues and cash receipts are denominated in USD, and sales of gas and refined products are mainly denominated in EUR and GBP. Further, Equinor pays a large portion of its income taxes, operating expenses, capital expenditures and dividends in NOK. The majority of Equinor's long-term debt has USD exposure. In general, an increase in the value of USD in relation to NOK can be expected to increase Equinor's reported net operating income. Accordingly, changes in exchange rates between USD, EUR, GBP and NOK may significantly influence Equinor's financial and operating results.

Equinor is exposed to liquidity and interest rate risks.

Equinor is exposed to liquidity risk, which is the risk that Equinor will not be able to meet obligations of financial liabilities when they become due. Equinor's main cash outflows include the quarterly dividend payments and Norwegian petroleum tax payments which are paid six times per year. Liquidity risk sources include but are not limited to business interruptions and commodity and financial markets price movements.

Equinor is exposed to interest rate risk, which is the possibility that changes in interest rates will affect future cash flows or the fair values of its financial instruments, principally long-term debt and associated derivatives. Equinor's bonds are normally issued at fixed rates in a variety of local currencies (USD, EUR and GBP among others). Bonds are normally converted to floating USD bonds by using interest rate and currency swaps.

It is expected that LIBOR will be discontinued and replaced with alternative reference rates by the end of 2021. Equinor is exposed to LIBOR on interest rate derivatives contracts, floating rate bonds, loan agreements and facilities, among others, the majority of which, Equinor believes, provide for alternative reference rates or calculation methods upon LIBOR discontinuation. Equinor is following this transition closely.

The materialisation of any of these risks (including a failure by Equinor to manage these risks) could materially adversely affect Equinor's financial condition.

Equinor is exposed to risks relating to trading and supply activities.

Equinor is engaged in trading and commercial activities in the physical markets. Equinor uses financial instruments such as futures, options, over-the-counter forward contracts, market swaps and contracts for differences related to crude oil, petroleum products, natural gas and electricity to manage price differences and volatility. Equinor also uses financial instruments to manage foreign exchange and interest rate risk. Trading activities involve elements of forecasting, and Equinor bears the risk of market movements, the risk of losses if prices develop contrary to expectations, and the risk of default by counterparties and transport of liquids. If any of these risks materialise, Equinor's results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

Risks related to state ownership

The interests of Equinor's majority shareholder, the Norwegian State, may not always be aligned with the interests of Equinor's other shareholders, and this may affect Equinor's activities, including its decisions relating to the NCS.

The Norwegian State has resolved that its shares in Equinor and the SDFI's interest in NCS licences must be managed in accordance with a coordinated ownership strategy for the Norwegian State's oil and gas interests. Under this strategy, the Norwegian State has required Equinor to market the Norwegian State's oil and gas together with Equinor's own oil and gas as a single economic unit. Pursuant to this coordinated ownership strategy, the Norwegian State requires Equinor, in its activities on the NCS, to take account of the Norwegian State's interests in all decisions that may affect the marketing of Equinor's own and the Norwegian State's oil and gas.

The Norwegian State directly held 67 per cent. of Equinor's ordinary shares as of 31 December 2019 and has effectively the power to influence the outcome of any vote of shareholders, including amending its articles of association and electing all non-employee members of the corporate assembly. The interests of the Norwegian State in deciding these and other matters and the factors it considers when casting its votes, especially the coordinated ownership strategy for the SDFI and Equinor's shares held by the Norwegian State, could be different from the interests of Equinor's other shareholders.

If the Norwegian State's coordinated ownership strategy is not implemented and pursued in the future, then Equinor's mandate to continue to sell the Norwegian State's oil and gas together with its own oil and gas as a single economic unit is likely to be prejudiced. Loss of the mandate to sell the SDFI's oil and gas could have an adverse effect on Equinor's position in the markets in which it operates.

For further information about the mandate to sell the Norwegian State's oil and gas, see the section entitled "Equinor – Overview – Business overview of Equinor".

Factors which are material for the purpose of assessing the market risks associated with Notes issued under the Programme

Because the Notes are unsecured, the right to receive payments may be adversely affected.

The Notes will be unsecured. The Notes are not subordinated to any of the Issuer's other debt obligations and therefore will rank equally with all of its other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. As of 31 December 2019, the Group had no secured indebtedness outstanding. If the Issuer defaults on the Notes or the Guarantor defaults on the Guarantee, or in the event of bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganisation, then, to the extent that the Issuer or the Guarantor has granted security over its assets, the assets that secure these debts will be used to satisfy the obligations under that secured debt before the Issuer or the Guarantor could make payment on the Notes. If there is not enough collateral to satisfy the obligations of the secured debt, then the remaining amounts on the secured debt would share equally with all unsubordinated unsecured indebtedness.

Risks related to the structure of a particular issue of Notes

A range of Notes may be issued under the Programme. A number of these Notes may have features which contain particular risks for potential investors. Set out below is a description of the most common of such features.

Notes subject to optional redemption by the Issuer.

An optional redemption feature is likely to limit the market value of Notes. During any period when the Issuer may elect to redeem Notes, the market value of those Notes generally will not rise substantially above the price at which they can be redeemed. This also may be true prior to any redemption period.

In the case of Notes which specify "Issuer Residual Call" as applicable in the applicable Final Terms, the Issuer's optional redemption right will become operative where, at any time, the outstanding aggregate nominal amount of the Notes is 20 per cent. or less of the aggregate nominal amount of the relevant Series of Notes issued. Holders of any such Notes may find that their Notes are redeemed by the Issuer prior to the relevant Maturity Date.

The Issuer may be expected to redeem Notes when its cost of borrowing is lower than the interest rate on the Notes. At those times, an investor generally would not be able to reinvest the redemption proceeds at an effective interest rate as high as the interest rate on the Notes being redeemed and may only be able to do so at a significantly lower rate. Potential investors should consider reinvestment risk in light of other investments available at that time.

Variable rate Notes with a multiplier or other leverage factor.

Notes with variable interest rates can be volatile investments. If they are structured to include multipliers or other leverage factors, or caps or floors, or any combination of those features or other similar related features, their market values may be even more volatile than those for securities that do not include those features.

Inverse Floating Rate Notes.

Inverse Floating Rate Notes have an interest rate equal to a fixed rate minus a rate based upon a reference rate such as LIBOR. The market values of those Notes typically are more volatile than market values of other conventional floating rate debt securities based on the same reference rate (and with otherwise comparable terms). Inverse Floating Rate Notes are more volatile because an increase in the reference rate not only decreases the interest rate of the Notes, but may also reflect an increase in prevailing interest rates, which further adversely affects the market value of these Notes.

Fixed/Floating Rate Notes.

Fixed/Floating Rate Notes bear interest at a rate that converts from a fixed rate to a floating rate, or from a floating rate to a fixed rate. Such a feature to convert the interest basis, and any conversion of the interest basis, may affect the secondary market and the market value of such Notes as the change of interest basis may result in a lower interest return for Noteholders. Where the Notes convert from a fixed rate to a floating rate, the spread on the Fixed/Floating Rate Notes may be less favourable than then prevailing spreads on comparable Floating Rate Notes tied to the same reference rate. In addition, the new floating rate at any time may be lower than the rates on other Notes. Where the Notes convert from a floating rate to a fixed rate, the fixed rate may be lower than then prevailing rates on those Notes and could affect the market value of an investment in the relevant Notes.

Notes issued at a substantial discount or premium.

The market values of securities issued at a substantial discount or premium from their principal amount tend to fluctuate more in relation to general changes in interest rates than do prices for conventional interest-bearing securities. Generally, the longer the remaining term of the securities, the greater the price volatility as compared to conventional interest-bearing securities with comparable maturities.

The regulation and reform of "benchmarks" may adversely affect the value of Floating Rate Notes linked to or referencing such "benchmarks".

Interest rates and indices which are deemed to be "benchmarks" (including, but not limited to, LIBOR, EURIBOR, NIBOR and STIBOR) are the subject of recent national and international regulatory guidance and proposals for reform. Some of these reforms are already effective whilst others are still to be implemented. These reforms may cause such benchmarks to perform differently than in the past, to disappear entirely, or have other consequences which cannot be predicted. Any such consequence could have a material adverse effect on any Notes linked to or referencing such a "benchmark".

The Benchmarks Regulation applies, subject to certain transitional provisions, to the provision of benchmarks, the contribution of input data to a benchmark and the use of a benchmark within the EU (which, for these purposes, includes the UK). Among other things, it (i) requires benchmark administrators to be authorised or registered (or, if non-EU-based, to be subject to an equivalent regime or otherwise recognised or endorsed) and (ii) prevents certain uses by EU supervised entities of "benchmarks" of administrators that are not authorised or registered (or, if non-EU based, not deemed equivalent or recognised or endorsed).

The Benchmarks Regulation could have a material impact on any Notes linked to or referencing a "benchmark", in particular, if the methodology or other terms of the "benchmark" are changed in order to comply with the requirements of the Benchmarks Regulation. Such changes could, among other things, have the effect of reducing, increasing or otherwise affecting the volatility of the published rate or level of the relevant "benchmark".

More broadly, any of the international or national reforms, or the general increased regulatory scrutiny of "benchmarks", could increase the costs and risks of administering or otherwise participating in the setting of a "benchmark" and complying with any such regulations or requirements.

Specifically, the sustainability of LIBOR has been questioned as a result of the absence of relevant active underlying markets and possible disincentives (including possibly as a result of benchmark reforms) for market participants to continue contributing to such "benchmarks". It is expected that LIBOR will be discontinued and replaced with alternative reference rates by the end of 2021.

Separately, the euro risk free-rate working group for the euro area has published a set of guiding principles for fallback provisions in, amongst other things, new euro denominated cash products (including bonds) referencing EURIBOR. The guiding principles indicate, among other things, that continuing to reference EURIBOR in relevant contracts may increase the risk to the euro area financial system.

It is not possible to predict with certainty whether, and to what extent, LIBOR, EURIBOR, NIBOR and/or STIBOR will continue to be supported going forwards. This may cause such "benchmarks" to perform differently than they have done in the past, and may have other consequences which cannot be predicted. Such factors may have (without limitation) the following effects on certain "benchmarks": (i) discouraging market participants from continuing to administer or contribute to the "benchmark"; (ii) triggering changes in the rules or methodologies used in the "benchmark" and/or (iii) leading to the disappearance of the "benchmark".

Any of the above changes or any other consequential changes as a result of international or national reforms or other initiatives or investigations, could have a material adverse effect on the value of and return on any Notes linked to or referencing a "benchmark".

Investors should consult their own independent advisers and make their own assessment about the potential risks imposed by the Benchmarks Regulation reforms in making any investment decision with respect to any Notes linked to or referencing a "benchmark".

Future discontinuance of certain "benchmark" rates may adversely affect the Floating Rate Notes.

Investors should be aware that, if a benchmark rate were discontinued or otherwise unavailable, the rate of interest on Floating Rate Notes which reference such benchmark rate will be determined for the relevant period by the fallback provisions applicable to such Notes. The Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes and the Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes provide for certain fallback arrangements in the event that a Benchmark Event (as described in the Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes and the Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes, respectively) occurs. These fallback arrangements will include the possibility that:

the relevant Rate of Interest (or component thereof) could be set or, as the case may be, determined by reference to a successor rate or an alternative reference rate (as applicable) determined by an Independent Adviser (as defined in the Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes and in the Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes); and
such successor rate or alternative reference rate (as applicable) may be adjusted (if required) by the relevant Independent Adviser in order to reduce or eliminate, to the extent reasonably practicable in the circumstances, any economic prejudice or

benefit (as applicable) to Noteholders and, if applicable, Couponholders, arising out of the replacement of the relevant benchmark,

in each case as more fully described in the Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes and the Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes.

In addition, the Independent Adviser, following consultation with the Issuer, may also specify changes to the Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than the VPS Notes or the Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes, as applicable, that are necessary in order to follow market practice in relation to the relevant successor rate or alternative reference rate.

No consent of the Noteholders or Couponholders shall be required in connection with effecting any relevant successor rate or alternative reference rate (as applicable) or any other related adjustments and/or amendments described above.

Any such adjustment could have unexpected commercial consequences and there can be no assurance that, due to the particular circumstances of each Noteholder, any such adjustment will be favourable to each Noteholder.

In certain circumstances, the ultimate fallback of interest for a particular Interest Period may result in the rate of interest for the last preceding Interest Period being used. This may result in the effective application of a fixed rate for Floating Rate Notes based on the rate which was last observed on the Relevant Screen Page. In addition, due to the uncertainty concerning the availability of successor rates and alternative reference rates and the involvement of an Independent Adviser, the relevant fallback provisions may not operate as intended at the relevant time.

Any such consequences could have a material adverse effect on the value of and return on any such Notes. Moreover, any of the above matters or any other significant change to the setting or existence of any relevant rate could affect the ability of the Issuer to meet its obligations under the Floating Rate Notes or could have a material adverse effect on the value or liquidity of, and the amount payable under, the Floating Rate Notes.

The Guarantee provided by the Guarantor will automatically and unconditionally be released in certain circumstances.

In the case of any Series of Notes originally having the benefit of the Guarantee from the Guarantor, the Guarantee will automatically and unconditionally be terminated, without the consent of the Noteholders or (if applicable) the Couponholders, in the event that the aggregate amount of indebtedness for borrowed money for which the Guarantor is an obligor (as a guarantor, co-issuer or borrower and subject to certain exceptions described in Condition 2(c) (Termination of Guarantee) of the Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes and Condition 2(c) (Termination of Guarantee) of the Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes) does not exceed 10 per cent. of the aggregate principal amount of indebtedness for borrowed money of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries (as defined in Condition 8 (Events of Default) of the Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes and Condition 8 (Events of Default) of the Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes), on a consolidated basis, as of such time.

If the Guarantee is terminated, the Issuer is not required to replace it, and the relevant Notes will not have the benefit of any guarantee for the remaining maturity of the relevant Notes.

Risks related to Notes generally

Set out below is a brief description of certain risks relating to the Notes generally.

Modification and waivers.

The Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes and the VPS Trustee Agreement contain provisions for calling meetings of Noteholders to consider matters affecting their interests generally. These provisions permit defined majorities to bind all Noteholders including Noteholders who did not attend and vote at the relevant meeting and Noteholders who voted in a manner contrary to the majority.

The VPS Trustee Agreement provides that the VPS Trustee may, without the consent of the holders of VPS Notes, make certain modifications to the Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes or the VPS Trustee Agreement without the prior consent or sanction of such holders of VPS Notes, as further detailed in the Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes and the VPS Trustee Agreement. The VPS Trustee may notify the holders of VPS Notes of a proposal to effect such modification and the holders of VPS Notes then have at least five Business Days (as defined in Condition 3(b) (Interest on Floating Rate Notes) of the Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes) to protest. If a protest is made, then the relevant modification will not be made. If there is no protest, then the relevant modification will be binding on the holders of VPS Notes.

In addition, the VPS Trustee and the VPS Agent shall be obliged to use their reasonable endeavours to effect any Benchmark Amendments in the circumstances and as otherwise set out in Condition 3(b)(ix) (Benchmark Discontinuation) of the Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes without the consent of the holders of VPS Notes.

The Issuer and the Guarantor may take certain actions, including certain Asset Transfers, Permitted Reorganisations and substitution of the Issuer, without the consent of the Noteholders or the Couponholders.

The Issuer and (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) the Guarantor is each permitted, pursuant to Condition 8(d) of the Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes and Condition 8(d) of the Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes, to transfer all or substantially all of its and its subsidiaries' business or operations, taken as a whole, to one or more direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries and/or, in the case of the Guarantor, to the Issuer, in each case without any such transfer causing an Event of Default and without the consent of the Noteholders or the Couponholders.

The Issuer also is permitted, pursuant to Condition 14 (Substitution) of the Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than the VPS Notes and Condition 11 (Substitution) of the Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes, without the consent of the Noteholders or the Couponholders, to substitute itself as principal debtor under the Notes or Coupons or the VPS Notes, provided that no payment in respect of the Notes or Coupons or VPS Notes is at the relevant time overdue, as further described in "Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes — Substitution" and "Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes — Substitution". The Issuer (or previously substituted company, as the case may be) or Substitute shall not be required to have regard to, or be in any way liable for, the consequences of such substitution for individual Noteholders or Couponholders resulting from their being for any purpose domiciled or resident in, or otherwise connected with, or subject to the jurisdiction of, any particular territory. No Noteholder or Couponholder shall, in connection with any such substitution, be entitled to claim from the Issuer (or previously substituted company, as the case may be) or Substitute any indemnification or payment in respect of any tax consequence of any such substitution upon such individual Noteholders or Couponholders, except to the extent already provided in Condition 6 (Taxation) of the Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes or, as applicable, of the Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes (as modified by Condition 14 (Substitution) of the Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes or, as applicable, Condition 11 (Substitution) of the Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes).

In addition, the Issuer and (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) the Guarantor is each permitted, pursuant to Condition 8(d) of the Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes and Condition 8(d) of the Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes, to merge into or consolidate with, or to convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its and its subsidiaries' properties and assets, taken as a whole, to, any other entity, where the surviving or acquiring company (if not the Issuer or Guarantor) expressly assumes all obligations of the Issuer and/or the Guarantor, as applicable, under the Notes or the VPS Notes.

The Issuer or, as applicable, the Guarantor may take any of these actions as part of a transaction involving outside third parties or as part of an internal corporate reorganisation. The Issuer or, as applicable, the Guarantor may take these actions even if they result in a lower credit rating being assigned to the Notes or additional amounts becoming payable in respect of withholding tax and the Notes or VPS Notes thus being subject to redemption as described in Condition 5(b) of the Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes and Condition 5(b) of the Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes. See also the risk factor entitled "Because the Notes are unsecured, the right to receive payments may be adversely affected".

Equinor may be subject to a change in the Norwegian tax regime that could introduce a withholding tax on interest payments.

In February 2020, the Norwegian Ministry of Finance issued a consultation paper relating to withholding tax on interest payments from Norwegian sources. According to the consultation paper, it is proposed to introduce a standard 15 per cent. withholding tax on interest payments to related parties resident in low tax jurisdictions and a standard 15 per cent. withholding tax on royalty payments from entities resident for tax purposes in Norway to foreign related parties. The new rules are proposed to be introduced with effect from 1 January 2021.

The Ministry of Finance does not propose to introduce withholding tax on interest payments to creditors other than related parties (that is, where there is direct or indirect ownership or control of at least 50 per cent.) resident for tax purposes in a low tax jurisdiction. This means that the Ministry of Finance does not propose to introduce withholding tax on interest payments to independent banks or other finance institutions or on bonds held by unrelated parties, and therefore interest payments under the Notes should not be subject to Norwegian withholding tax.

However, if future legislation were to require withholding of Norwegian taxes on interest payments on the Notes, Equinor would be required, subject to certain exceptions, to pay additional amounts so that the net amounts received by the Noteholder will equal the amount that would have been received without such withholding or deduction, as described under Condition 6 (Taxation) of both the Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes and the Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes. The requirement to pay such additional amounts on the Notes (and potentially other outstanding indebtedness) could materially impact Equinor's cash flows.

In addition, if Equinor were to become liable to pay additional amounts as a result of any such new legislation, it may be able to redeem the Notes for their principal amounts plus accrued and unpaid interest and any related additional amounts, and there can be no assurance that investors will be able to reinvest the amounts received upon such redemption at a rate that will provide the same rate of return as your investment in the Notes.

Change of law.

The Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes are based on English law in effect as at the date of this Offering Circular.

The Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes (save for Conditions 1 (Form, Denomination and Title), 2(a) (Status of the VPS Notes), 2(b) (Status of Guarantee), 10 (Meetings of VPS Noteholders, Modification and Waiver) and 12 (VPS Trustee) of the Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes) are based on English law; Conditions 1 (Form, Denomination and Title), 2(a) (Status of the VPS Notes), 2(b) (Status of Guarantee), 10 (Meetings of VPS Noteholders, Modification and Waiver) and 12 (VPS Trustee) of the Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes are governed by Norwegian law, in each case as in effect as at the date of this Offering Circular.

No assurance can be given as to the impact of any possible judicial decision or change to English or Norwegian law or administrative practice after the date of this Offering Circular.

Trading in the clearing systems.

In relation to any issue of Notes which have a minimum denomination and are tradeable in the clearing systems in amounts above such minimum denomination which are smaller than it, should definitive Notes be required to be issued, a holder who does not have an integral multiple of the minimum denomination in his account with the relevant clearing system at the relevant time may not receive all of his entitlement in the form of definitive Notes unless and until such time as his holding becomes an integral multiple of the minimum denomination.

Because the Global Notes are held by or on behalf of Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg, investors will have to rely on their procedures for transfer and payment.

Notes (other than VPS Notes) issued under the Programme may be represented by one or more Global Notes. Such Global Notes will be deposited with a common depositary or common safekeeper for Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg. Except in the circumstances described in the relevant Global Note, investors will not be entitled to receive definitive Notes. While the Notes are represented by one or more Global Notes, investors will be able to trade their beneficial interests only through Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg.

While the Notes are represented by one or more Global Notes the Issuer will discharge its payment obligations under the Notes by making payments to the common depositary or common safekeeper for Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg for distribution to their account holders. A holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note must rely on the procedures of Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg to receive payments under the relevant Notes. The Issuer has no responsibility or liability for the records relating to, or payments made in respect of, beneficial interests in the Global Notes.

Holders of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will not have a direct right to vote in respect of the relevant Notes. Instead, such holders will be permitted to act only to the extent that they are enabled by Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg to appoint appropriate proxies. Similarly, holders of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will not have a direct right under the Global Notes to take enforcement action against the Issuer in the event of a default under the relevant Notes but will have to rely upon their rights under the Deed of Covenant (as defined in the section entitled "Form of the Notes").

Risks related to the market generally

Set out below is a description of the principal market risks, including liquidity risk, exchange rate risk, interest rate risk and credit risk.

The secondary market generally.

Notes may have no established trading market when issued, and one may never develop. If a market does develop, it may not be very liquid. Therefore, investors may not be able to sell their Notes easily or at prices that will provide them with a yield comparable to similar investments that have a developed secondary market. This is particularly the case for Notes that are especially sensitive to interest rate, currency or market risks, are designed for specific investment objectives or strategies or have been structured to meet the investment requirements of limited categories of investors. These types of Notes generally would have a more limited secondary market and more price volatility than conventional debt securities. Illiquidity may have a severely adverse effect on the market value of Notes.

Exchange rate risks and exchange controls.

The Issuer will pay principal and interest on the Notes and the Guarantor will make any payments under the Guarantee in the Specified Currency. This presents certain risks relating to currency conversions if an investor's financial activities are denominated principally in a currency or currency unit (the Investor's Currency) other than the Specified Currency. These include the risk that exchange rates may significantly change (including changes due to devaluation of the Specified Currency or revaluation of the Investor's Currency) and the risk that authorities with jurisdiction over the Investor's Currency may impose or modify exchange controls. An appreciation in the value of the Investor's Currency relative to the Specified Currency would decrease (1) the Investor's Currency-equivalent yield on the Notes, (2) the Investor's Currency-equivalent value of the principal payable on the Notes and (3) the Investor's Currency-equivalent market value of the Notes.

Government and monetary authorities may impose (as some have done in the past) exchange controls that could adversely affect an applicable exchange rate. As a result, investors may receive less interest or principal than expected, or no interest or principal.

Interest rate risks.

Investment in Fixed Rate Notes involves the risk that subsequent changes in market interest rates may adversely affect the value of the Fixed Rate Notes.

Credit ratings may not reflect all risks.

One or more independent credit rating agencies may assign credit ratings to the Notes. The ratings may not reflect the potential impact of all risks related to structure, market, additional factors discussed above, and other factors that may affect the value of the Notes. A credit rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities and may be revised or withdrawn by the rating agency at any time. Purchasers of the Notes rely on the creditworthiness of the Issuer and, if applicable, the Guarantor and no other person. Investment in the Notes involves the risk that subsequent changes in actual or perceived creditworthiness of the Issuer and, if applicable, the Guarantor, may adversely affect the market value of the securities.

In general, European (including UK) regulated investors are restricted under the CRA Regulation from using credit ratings for regulatory purposes, unless such ratings are issued by a credit rating agency established in the EU or the UK and registered under the CRA Regulation (and such registration has not been withdrawn or suspended), subject to transitional provisions that apply in certain circumstances. Such general restriction will also apply in the case of credit ratings issued by non-EU and non-UK credit rating agencies, unless the relevant credit ratings are endorsed by an EU-registered credit rating agency or the relevant non-EU and non-UK rating agency is certified in accordance with the CRA Regulation (and such endorsement action or certification, as the case may be, has not been withdrawn or suspended), subject to transitional provisions that apply in certain circumstances. If the status of the rating agency or agencies rating the Notes changes, European (including UK) regulated investors may no longer be able to use the rating for regulatory purposes and the Notes may have a different regulatory treatment. This may result in European (including UK) regulated investors selling the Notes which may impact the value of the Notes and any secondary market. The list of registered and certified rating agencies published by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) on its website in accordance with the CRA Regulation is not conclusive evidence of the status of the relevant rating agency included in such list, as there may be delays between certain supervisory measures being taken against a relevant rating agency and the publication of the updated ESMA list. Certain information with respect to the credit rating agencies and ratings is set out on the cover of this Offering Circular.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The following documents which have previously been published or are published simultaneously with this Offering Circular and have been approved by the FCA or filed with it shall be incorporated in, and form part of, this Offering Circular:

A9.11.1 A9.11.2 A9.11.4.1

A9.11.1 A9.11.4.1

(a) the reports of the auditors and the consolidated audited annual financial statements for the financial years ended 31 December 2019 and 31 December 2018 of the Issuer (the Issuer 2019 Consolidated Financial Statements) contained on pages 147 to 224 (inclusive) of the Issuer's Annual Report and Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2019 (the 2019 Annual Report) (which can be found at: https://www.equinor.com/en/investors.html#annual-reports), which were prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (the IASB) and IFRS as adopted by the EU;
(b) sections 2.3 to 2.6 of the Strategic Report contained on pages 28 to 50 (inclusive) of the 2019 Annual Report;
(c) section 3.10 of the Governance section contained on pages 124 to 127 (inclusive) of the 2019 Annual Report;
(d) the supplementary oil and gas information contained on pages 225 to 237 (inclusive) of the 2019 Annual Report;
(e) the management's report and the auditor's report on the Issuer's internal controls over financial reporting as at 31 December 2019 contained on pages 125 and 151 to 152 (inclusive), respectively, of the 2019 Annual Report;
(f) pages 1 to 33 (inclusive) and 35 of the Issuer's "First quarter 2020 Financial statements and review" (the "Q1 2020 Results"), (which can be found at: https://www.equinor.com/en/news/equinor-first-quarter-2020-results.html), which also contains, on pages 10 to 35 (inclusive), the Q1 2020 Financial Statements that were prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 Interim Financial Reporting as issued by the IASB and as adopted by the EU;
(g) the reports of the auditors and the non-consolidated audited annual financial statements for the financial years ended 31 December 2019 and 31 December 2018 of the Guarantor contained on pages 17 to 51 (inclusive) of the Guarantor's statutory report for the year ended 31 December 2019 and pages 15 to 44 (inclusive) of the Guarantor's statutory report for the year ended 31 December 2018 (which can be found at: https://www.equinor.com/content/dam/statoil/documents/debt-and-creditir/equinor-energy-statutory-report-2019.pdf and https://www.equinor.com/content/dam/statoil/documents/debt-and-credit-ir/equinorenergy-annual-report-2018.pdf), which were prepared in accordance with the Norwegian Accounting Act and accounting standards and practices generally accepted in Norway;
(h) the 25 March Press Release (which can be found at: https://www.equinor.com/en/news/2020-03-25-financial.html);
(i) the Terms and Conditions of the Notes set out on pages 42 to 66 (inclusive) of the Offering Circular dated 15 August 2013 (which can be found at:

https://www.equinor.com/content/dam/statoil/documents/debt-and-credit-ir/05- 2017/emtn-offering-circular-august-2013.pdf);

(j) the Terms and Conditions of the Notes set out on pages 42 to 68 (inclusive) of the Offering Circular dated 5 December 2013 (which can be found at: https://www.equinor.com/content/dam/statoil/documents/debt-and-credit-ir/05- 2017/emtn-offering-circular-december-2013.pdf);
(k) the Terms and Conditions of the Notes set out on pages 45 to 71 (inclusive) of the Offering Circular dated 9 February 2015 (which can be found at: https://www.equinor.com/content/dam/statoil/documents/debt-and-credit-ir/05- 2017/emtn-offering-circular-february-2015.pdf);
(l) the Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes set out on pages 48 to 74 (inclusive) and the Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes set out on pages 75 to 98 (inclusive) of the Offering Circular dated 5 February 2016 (which can be found at: https://www.equinor.com/content/dam/statoil/documents/debt-and-credit-ir/05- 2017/emtn-offering-circular-february-2016.pdf); and
(m) the Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes set out on pages 46 to 72 (inclusive) and the Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes set out on pages 73 to 96 (inclusive) of the Offering Circular dated 28 October 2016 (which can be found at: https://www.equinor.com/content/dam/statoil/documents/ir/statoil-emnt-offeringcircular-october-2016.pdf).

Following the publication of this Offering Circular a supplement may be prepared by the Issuer and approved by the FCA in accordance with Article 23 of the Prospectus Regulation. Statements contained in any such supplement (or contained in any document incorporated by reference therein) shall, to the extent applicable (whether expressly, by implication or otherwise), be deemed to modify or supersede statements contained in this Offering Circular or in a document which is incorporated by reference in this Offering Circular (whether expressly, by implication or otherwise). Any statement so modified or superseded shall not, except as so modified or superseded, constitute a part of this Offering Circular.

Copies of documents incorporated by reference in this Offering Circular are available for viewing on the website of the Issuer at the hyperlinks provided above and can be obtained from the registered offices of the Issuer and the Guarantor and from the specified offices of the Paying Agents for the time being in London and Luxembourg.

Any documents themselves incorporated by reference in the documents incorporated by reference in this Offering Circular shall not form part of this Offering Circular.

The Issuer and the Guarantor will, in the event of any significant new factor, material mistake or inaccuracy relating to information included in this Offering Circular which is capable of affecting the assessment of any Notes, prepare a supplement to this Offering Circular or publish a new Offering Circular for use in connection with any subsequent issue of Notes.

Certain information contained in the documents listed above has not been incorporated by reference in this Offering Circular. Such information is either (i) not considered by the Issuer to be relevant for prospective investors in the Notes to be issued under the Programme or (ii) is covered elsewhere in this Offering Circular.

FORM OF THE NOTES

A13.4.4(i)(A)

The Notes of each Series will be either in bearer form, with or without interest coupons and/or talons attached or, in the case of VPS Notes, in uncertificated book entry form.

Bearer Notes

Each Tranche of Notes other than VPS Notes will be in bearer form and will be initially issued in the form of a temporary global note (a Temporary Global Note) which will:

(i) if the Global Notes are intended to be issued in new global note (NGN) form, as stated in the applicable Final Terms, be delivered on or prior to the original issue date of the Tranche to a common safekeeper (the Common Safekeeper) for Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg; and
(ii) if the Global Notes are not intended to be issued in NGN form, be delivered on or prior to the original issue date of the Tranche to a common depositary (the Common Depositary) for, Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg.

Where the Global Notes issued in respect of any Tranche are in NGN form, the applicable Final Terms will also indicate whether or not such Global Notes are intended to be held in a manner which would allow Eurosystem eligibility. Any indication that the Global Notes are to be so held does not necessarily mean that the Notes of the relevant Tranche will be recognised as eligible collateral for Eurosystem monetary policy and intra-day credit operations by the Eurosystem either upon issue or at any times during their life as such recognition depends upon satisfaction of the Eurosystem eligibility criteria. The Common Safekeeper for NGNs will either be Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg or another entity approved by Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg.

Whilst any Note is represented by a Temporary Global Note, payments of principal and interest (if any) due prior to the Exchange Date (as defined below) will be made (against presentation of the Temporary Global Note if the Temporary Global Note is not intended to be issued in NGN form) only to the extent that certification (in a form to be provided) to the effect that the beneficial owners of interests in such Note are not U.S. persons or persons who have purchased for resale to any U.S. person, as required by U.S. Treasury regulations, has been received by Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg and Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg, as applicable, has given a like certification (based on the certifications it has received) to the Agent. Any reference in this section entitled "Form of the Notes" to Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg shall, whenever the context so permits, be deemed to include a reference to any additional or alternative clearance system approved by the Issuer and the Agent.

On and after the date (the Exchange Date) which is the later of (i) 40 days after the Temporary Global Note is issued and (ii) 40 days after the completion of distribution of all the Notes is certified to the Agent (the Distribution Compliance Period), interests in any Temporary Global Note issued will be exchangeable (free of charge) upon a request as described therein either for interests in a permanent global Note without interest coupons or talons (a Permanent Global Note) or for definitive Notes in bearer form with, where applicable, interest coupons and talons attached (as indicated in the applicable Final Terms) in each case against certification of beneficial ownership as described in the second sentence of the immediately preceding paragraph unless such certification has already been given. The holder of a Temporary Global Note will not be entitled to collect any payment of interest or principal due on or after the Exchange Date unless upon due certification exchange of the Temporary Global Note is improperly withheld or refused. Pursuant to the Agency Agreement (as defined under "Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes" below) the Agent shall arrange that, where a further Tranche of Notes is issued which is intended to form a single Series with an existing Tranche of Notes at a point after the Issue Date of the further Tranche, the Notes of such further Tranche shall be assigned a temporary common code and ISIN by Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg which are different from the common code and ISIN assigned to Notes of any other Tranche of the same Series until such time as the Tranches are consolidated and form a single Series, which shall not be prior to the expiry of the Distribution Compliance Period applicable to the Notes of such Tranche.

Payments of principal and interest (if any) on a Permanent Global Note will be made through Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg (against presentation or surrender (as the case may be) of the Permanent Global Note if the Permanent Global Note is not intended to be issued in NGN form) without any requirement for certification.

The applicable Final Terms will specify that a Permanent Global Note will be exchangeable (free of charge), in whole but not in part, for definitive Notes with, where applicable, interest coupons and talons attached upon either (a) not less than 60 days' written notice from Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg (acting on the instructions of any holder of an interest in such Permanent Global Note) to the Agent as described therein or (b) only the occurrence of an Exchange Event. For these purposes, Exchange Event means that (i) an Event of Default (as defined in Condition 8 (Events of Default) of the Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes) has occurred and is continuing or (ii) the Issuer has been notified that both Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg have been closed for a continuous period of 14 days (other than by reason of holiday statutory or otherwise) or have announced an intention permanently to cease business, or have in fact done so and no successor clearing system is available. The Issuer will promptly give notice to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 12 (Notices) of the Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes if an Exchange Event occurs. In the event of the occurrence of an Exchange Event, Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg (acting on the instructions of any holder of an interest in such Permanent Global note) may give notice to the Agent requesting exchange. Any such exchange shall occur not later than 45 days after the date of receipt of the first relevant notice by the Agent. Global Notes and definitive Notes will be issued pursuant to the Agency Agreement.

The exchange of a Permanent Global Note for definitive Notes upon notice from Euroclear and/or Clearstream (acting on the instructions of any holder) or at any time at the request of the Issuer should not be expressed to be applicable in the applicable Final Terms if the Notes are issued with a minimum Specified Denomination such as €100,000 (or its equivalent in another currency) plus one or more higher integral multiples of another smaller amount such as €1,000 (or its equivalent in another currency). Furthermore, such Specified Denomination construction is not permitted in relation to any issue of Notes which is to be represented on issue by a Temporary Global Note exchangeable for definitive Notes.

The following legend will appear on all Notes (other than Temporary Global Notes), receipts and interest coupons relating to such Notes where TEFRA D is specified in the applicable Final Terms:

"ANY UNITED STATES PERSON WHO HOLDS THIS OBLIGATION WILL BE SUBJECT TO LIMITATIONS UNDER THE UNITED STATES INCOME TAX LAWS, INCLUDING THE LIMITATIONS PROVIDED IN SECTIONS 165(J) AND 1287(A) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE."

The sections referred to provide that United States holders, with certain exceptions, will not be entitled to deduct any loss on Notes or interest coupons and will not be entitled to capital gains treatment in respect of any gain on any sale, disposition, redemption or payment of principal in respect of Notes or interest coupons.

A Note may be accelerated automatically by the holder thereof in certain circumstances described in "Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes — Events of Default". In such circumstances, where any Note is still represented by a Global Note and the global Note (or any part thereof) has become due and repayable in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of such Notes and payment in full of the amount due has not been made in accordance with the terms of such Global Note then from 8.00 p.m. (London time) on such day, holders of interests in such Global Note credited to their accounts with Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg will become entitled to proceed directly against the Issuer or (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) the Guarantor on the basis of statements of account provided with Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg, on and subject to the terms of a deed of covenant (such Deed of Covenant, as modified and/or restated and/or supplemented from time to time, the Deed of Covenant) dated 13 May 2020, executed by the Issuer.

VPS Notes

Each Tranche of VPS Notes will be issued in uncertificated and dematerialised book entry form. Legal title to the VPS Notes will be evidenced by book entries in the records of the VPS (or such other securities depository approved or acknowledged under the CSD Regulation and specified in the applicable Final Terms). On the issue of such VPS Notes, the Issuer will send a letter to the VPS Trustee, with copies sent to the Agent and the VPS Agent (the VPS Letter), which letter will set out the terms of the relevant issue of VPS Notes in the form of a Final Terms supplement attached thereto. On delivery of a copy of such VPS Letter including the relevant Final Terms to the VPS (or such other securities depository) and notification to the VPS (or such other securities depository) of the subscribers and their VPS (or such other securities depository) account details by the relevant Dealer, the account operator acting on behalf of the Issuer will credit each subscribing account holder with the VPS (or such other securities depository) with a nominal amount of VPS Notes equal to the nominal amount thereof for which it has subscribed and paid.

Settlement of sale and purchase transactions in respect of VPS Notes in the VPS (or such other securities depository) will take place two Oslo business days after the date of the relevant transaction. Transfers of interests in the relevant VPS Notes will only take place in accordance with the rules and procedures for the time being of the VPS (or such other securities depository).

VPS Notes may not be exchanged for bearer Notes and vice versa.

The VPS Notes must comply with the Norwegian Securities Register Act of 5 July 2002 no. 64, as amended or replaced from time to time, and the holders of VPS Notes will be entitled to the rights and subject to the obligations and liabilities which arise under this act and any related regulations and legislation.

The registration of VPS Notes in the VPS (or any such other securities depository) as well as the recording and transfer of ownership to, and other interests in, VPS Notes will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, Norwegian law.

General

Any reference herein to Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg and/or VPS shall, whenever the context so permits, be deemed to include a reference to any additional or alternative clearing system specified in the applicable Final Terms.

FORM OF FINAL TERMS

The Final Terms applicable to each Tranche of Notes will be in the following form and will contain such information as is applicable in respect of such Notes:

[PROHIBITION OF SALES TO EEA AND UK RETAIL INVESTORS – The Notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the European Economic Area (EEA) or in the United Kingdom (the UK). For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, MiFID II); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97 (as amended, the Insurance Distribution Directive), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (as amended, the Prospectus Regulation). Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the PRIIPs Regulation) for offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA or in the UK has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA or in the UK may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.]¹

[MIFID II product governance / Professional investors and eligible counterparties (ECPs) only target market – Solely for the purposes of [the/each] manufacturer's product approval process, the target market assessment in respect of the Notes has led to the conclusion that: (i) the target market for the Notes is eligible counterparties and professional clients only, each as defined in [Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, MiFID II)][MiFID II]; and (ii) all channels for distribution of the Notes to eligible counterparties and professional clients are appropriate. Any person subsequently offering, selling or recommending the Notes (a distributor) should take into consideration the manufacturer['s/s'] target market assessment; however, a distributor subject to MiFID II is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the Notes (by either adopting or refining the manufacturer['s/s'] target market assessment) and determining appropriate distribution channels.] 2

[NOTIFICATION UNDER SECTION 309B(1)(c) OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES ACT (CHAPTER 289) OF SINGAPORE (the SFA) - [Insert notice if classification of the Notes is not "prescribed capital market products", pursuant to Section 309B of the SFA or Excluded Investment Products (as defined in MAS Notice SFA 04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and MAS Notice FAA-N16: Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products)].]³

[Date]

EQUINOR ASA

Legal entity identifier (LEI): OW6OFBNCKXC4US5C7523

[Guaranteed by EQUINOR ENERGY AS]

¹ Legend to be included on front of the Final Terms if the Notes potentially constitute "packaged" products and no key information document will be prepared or the Issuer wishes to prohibit offers to EEA and UK retail investors for any other reason, in which case the selling restriction should be specified to be "Applicable".

² Legend to be included on front of the Final Terms if following the ICMA 1 "all bonds to all professionals" target market approach

³ Relevant Manager(s)/Dealer(s) to consider whether it / they have received the necessary product classification from the Issuer prior to the launch of the offer, pursuant to Section 309B of the SFA.

Issue of [Aggregate Nominal Amount of Tranche] [Title of Notes] Issued pursuant to the €20,000,000,000 Euro Medium Term Note Programme

PART A CONTRACTUAL TERMS

[Terms used herein shall be deemed to be defined as such for the purposes of the [Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes][Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes] set forth in the Offering Circular dated 13 May 2020 [and the supplement[s] to it dated [Date]] which [together] constitute[s] a base prospectus for the purposes of [the Prospectus Regulation][Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (as amended, the Prospectus Regulation)] (the Offering Circular). This document constitutes the Final Terms of the Notes described herein for the purposes of the Prospectus Regulation and must be read in conjunction with the Offering Circular in order to obtain all the relevant information. The Offering Circular is available for viewing during normal business hours at and copies may be obtained from the registered offices of the Issuer [and the Guarantor] and from the specified office of each of the Paying Agents. In addition, the Offering Circular has been published on the website of the London Stock Exchange through a regulatory information service (https://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-newshome.html).]

[Terms used herein shall be deemed to be defined as such for the purposes of the [Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes][Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes] (the Conditions) set forth in an Offering Circular dated [ ], which Conditions are incorporated by reference in the Offering Circular dated 13 May 2020. This document constitutes the Final Terms of the Notes described herein for the purposes of [the Prospectus Regulation][Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (as amended, the Prospectus Regulation)] and must be read in conjunction with the Offering Circular dated 13 May 2020 [and the supplement[s] to it dated [Date]] which [together] constitute[s] a base prospectus for the purposes of the Prospectus Regulation in order to obtain all the relevant information. Copies of such Offering Circulars are available for viewing during normal business hours at and copies may be obtained from the registered offices of the Issuer [and the Guarantor] and from the specified office of each of the Paying Agents. In addition, the Offering Circular has been published on the website of the London Stock Exchange through a regulatory information service (https://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news /market-news-home.html).]

1.	(i)	Issuer:	Equinor ASA
	[(ii)]	[Guarantor:	Equinor Energy AS]
2.	(i)	Series Number:	[ ]
	(ii)	Tranche Number:	[ ]
	(iii)	Date on which the Notes will be consolidated and form a single Series:	The Notes will be consolidated and form a single Series with [ ] on [the Issue Date/exchange of the Temporary Global Note for interests in the Permanent Global Note, as referred to in paragraph 23 below, which is expected to occur on or about [ ]][Not Applicable]

3.		Specified Currency or Currencies:	[	]
4.		Aggregate Nominal Amount:
	(i)	Series:	[	]
	(ii)	Tranche:	[	]
5.	Issue Price:		[	] per cent. of the Aggregate Nominal Amount [plus accrued interest from [ ]]
6.	(i)	Specified Denominations:	[	]
	(ii)	Calculation Amount:	[	]
7.	[(i)]	Issue Date [and Interest Commencement Date]:	[	]
	[(ii)	Interest Commencement Date (if different from the Issue Date):	[	]
8.	Maturity Date:		[ ]
9.		Interest Basis:	[[ [	] per cent. Fixed Rate] [[LIBOR/EURIBOR/NIBOR/STIBOR] +/– ] per cent. Floating Rate] [Zero Coupon] (see paragraph [14]/[15]/[16] below)
10.	Redemption/Payment Basis:			Subject to any purchase and cancellation or early redemption, the Notes will be redeemed on the Maturity Date at [100] per cent. of their nominal amount
11.		Change of Interest Basis or Redemption/Payment Basis:	[	][Not Applicable]
12.		Put/Call Options:		[Investor Put] [Issuer Call] [Make-Whole Redemption] [Issuer Residual Call] [(see paragraph [17]/[18]/[19]/[20] below)]
13.	obtained:	Date [Board] approval for issuance of Notes [and Guarantee]	[	][Not Applicable]

Provisions Relating to Interest (if any) Payable

14.		Fixed Rate Note Provisions:	[Applicable/Not Applicable]
	(i)	Rate[(s)] of Interest:	[ ] per cent. per annum (payable [annually/semi-annually/quarterly/monthly] in arrear)
	(ii)	Interest Payment Date(s):	[[ ] in each year up to including the Maturity Date]
	(iii)	Fixed Coupon Amount[(s)]:	[ ] per Calculation Amount
	(iv)	Broken Amount[(s)]:	[[ ] per Calculation Amount, payable on the Interest Payment Date falling [in/on] [ ]] [Not Applicable]
	(v)	Day Count Fraction:	[Actual/Actual (ICMA)] [30/360]
	(vi)	Determination Date(s):	[[ ] in each year] [Not Applicable]
15.		Floating Rate Note Provisions:	[Applicable/Not Applicable]
	(i)	Specified Period (s)/Specified Interest Payment Dates:	[ ] [, subject to adjustment in accordance with the Business Day Convention set out in (ii) below /, not subject to adjustment, as the Business Day Convention in (ii) below is specified to be Not Applicable]
	(ii)	Business Day Convention:	[Floating Rate Convention/Following Business Day Convention/Modified Following Business Day Convention/Preceding Business Day Convention] [Not Applicable]
	(iii)	Additional Business Centre(s):	[ ]
	(iv)	Manner in which the Rate of Interest and Interest Amount are to be determined:	[Screen Rate Determination/ISDA Determination]
	(v)	Party responsible for calculating the Rate of Interest and Interest Amount (if not the Agent):	[[ ] (the Calculation Agent)/Not Applicable]
	(vi)	Screen Rate Determination:
		– Reference Rate:	[[ ] month [ ] LIBOR/EURIBOR/NIBOR/STIBOR]

		– Interest Determination Date(s):	[ ]
		– Relevant Screen Page:	[ ]
	(vii)	ISDA Determination:
		– Floating Rate Option:	[ ]
		– Designated Maturity:	[ ]
		– Reset Dates:	[ ]
	(viii)	Linear Interpolation:	[Not Applicable/Applicable - the Rate of Interest for the [long/short] [first/last] Interest Period shall be calculated using Linear Interpolation]
	(ix)	Margin(s):	[+/-] [ ] per cent. per annum
	(x)	Minimum Rate of Interest:	[ ] per cent. per annum/ [Not Applicable]
	(xi)	Maximum Rate of Interest:	[ ] per cent. per annum/ [Not Applicable]
	(xii)	Day Count Fraction:	[Actual/Actual (ISDA)][Actual/Actual] [Actual/365 (Fixed)] [Actual/365 (Sterling)] [Actual/360] [30/360][360/360][Bond Basis] [30E/360][Eurobond Basis] [30E/360 (ISDA)]
16.		Zero Coupon Note Provisions:	[Applicable/Not Applicable]
	(i)	Accrual Yield:	[ ] per cent. per annum
	(ii)	Reference Price:	[ ]
	(iii)	Day Count Fraction:	[30/360] [Actual/360] [Actual/365]
		Provisions Relating to Redemption
17.		Issuer Call:	[Applicable/Not Applicable]
	(i)	Optional Redemption Date(s):	[ ]
	(ii)	Optional Redemption Amount(s):	[ ] per Calculation Amount

	(iii)	If redeemable in part:		[Applicable/Not Applicable]
		(a)	Minimum Redemption Amount:	[	]
		(b)	Higher Redemption Amount:	[	]
18.	Investor Put:				[Applicable/Not Applicable]
	(i)	Date(s):	Optional Redemption	[	]
	(ii)	Amount(s):	Optional Redemption	[	] per Calculation Amount
19.		Make-Whole Redemption:		[Applicable/Not Applicable]
	(i)	Date(s):	Make-Whole Redemption	[	]
	(ii)	Margin:	Make-Whole Redemption	[[	] basis points/Not Applicable]
	(iii)		Reference Bond:		[CA Selected Bond/[ ]]
	(iv)		Quotation Time:		[5.00 p.m. [Brussels/London/[ ]] time/Not Applicable]
	(v)	Reference Rate Determination Date: If redeemable in part:			[The [ ] Business Day preceding the relevant Make-Whole Redemption Date/Not Applicable]
	(vi)				[Applicable/Not Applicable]
		(a)	Minimum Redemption Amount:	[	]
		(b)	Maximum Redemption Amount:	[	]
	(vii)		Notice periods (if other than as set out in the [Terms and		Minimum period: [ ] days
		Conditions of the Notes			Maximum period: [ ] days
		other than VPS Notes][Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes]):		(N.B. When setting notice periods, the Issuer is advised to consider the practicalities of distribution of information through intermediaries, for example, clearing systems (which require a minimum of 5 clearing system business days' notice for a call) and custodians, as well as any other notice requirements which may apply, for example, as between the Issuer and the Agent,

the VPS Agent and/or VPS Trustee (as

applicable).)

20. Issuer Residual Call: [Applicable/Not Applicable]

(i) Residual Call Early Redemption Amount:
(ii) Notice periods (if other than as set out in the [Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes][Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes]):

[ ] per Calculation Amount

Minimum period: [ ] days

Maximum period: [ ] days

(N.B. When setting notice periods, the Issuer is advised to consider the practicalities of distribution of information through intermediaries, for example, clearing systems (which require a minimum of 5 clearing system business days' notice for a call) and custodians, as well as any other notice requirements which may apply, for example, as between the Issuer and the Agent, the VPS Agent and/or VPS Trustee (as applicable).)

21. Final Redemption Amount: [ ] per Calculation Amount

22. Early Redemption Amount(s) payable on redemption for taxation reasons or on event of default:

[ ] per Calculation Amount

GENERAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO THE NOTES

23. Form of Notes:

(i)	Form:	[Temporary Global Note exchangeable for a Permanent Global Note which is exchangeable for definitive Notes upon [not less than 60 days' notice] [only upon the occurrence of an Exchange Event]]
		[Temporary Global Note exchangeable for definitive Notes on and after the Exchange Date]
		[VPS Notes issued in uncertificated book entry form registered in [the VPS][ ]]
(ii)	New Global Notes:	[Yes/No]
		(If VPS Notes, must be "No")

24. Additional Financial Centre(s): [ ] [Not Applicable]

25. U.S. Selling Restrictions: [Reg. S Compliance Category 2; TEFRA D/TEFRA C/TEFRA Not Applicable]

[THIRD PARTY INFORMATION

[Relevant third party information] has been extracted from [specify source]. [Each of the][The] Issuer [and the Guarantor] confirms that such information has been accurately reproduced and that, so far as it is aware and is able to ascertain from information published by [specify source], no facts have been omitted which would render the reproduced information inaccurate or misleading.]

Signed on behalf of the Issuer	[Signed on behalf of the Guarantor:
By:	By:
Duly authorised	Duly authorised]

PART B OTHER INFORMATION

1. LISTING AND ADMISSION TO TRADING

(i) Listing and admission to trading: [Application has been made by the Issuer (or on its behalf) for the Notes to be admitted to trading on the [London Stock Exchange's][Oslo Børs's] regulated market [and listed on the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority] with effect from [ ].] [Application is expected to be made by the Issuer (or on its behalf) for the Notes to be admitted to trading on the [London Stock Exchange's][Oslo Børs's] regulated market [and listed on the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority] with effect from [ ].]
(ii) Estimate of total expenses related to admission to trading: [ ]

2. RATINGS

Ratings: [The Notes [have been][are expected to be] rated]: [Moody's: [ ]] [S&P: [ ]]]

[Need to include a brief explanation of the meaning of the ratings if this has previously been published by the rating provider]

[Not Applicable]

3. INTERESTS OF NATURAL AND LEGAL PERSONS INVOLVED IN THE ISSUE

[Save for the fees [of [insert relevant fee disclosure]] payable to [ ] (the [Dealer[s]/Manager[s]]) no person involved in the issue of the Notes has an interest material to the offer. [Manager[s]/Dealer[s]] and [its/their] affiliates have engaged, and may in the future engage, in investment banking and/or commercial banking transactions with, and may perform other services for, the Issuer and the Guarantor and their affiliates in the ordinary course of business.]

4. YIELD (Fixed Rate Notes only)

Indication of yield: [ ] per cent.

5. OPERATIONAL INFORMATION

(i) ISIN Code: [ ]
(ii) Common Code: [ ]

(iii) CFI: [See the website of the Association of National Numbering Agencies (ANNA) or alternatively sourced from the responsible National Numbering Agency that assigned the ISIN/Not Applicable/Not Available]

(iv) FISN: [See the website of the Association of National Numbering Agencies (ANNA) or alternatively sourced from the responsible National Numbering Agency that assigned the ISIN/Not Applicable/Not Available]

[ ] [Not Applicable]

number(s):

(vii) Names and addresses of additional Paying Agent(s) (if any):

(v) Any clearing system(s) other

than Euroclear Bank SA/NV and Clearstream, Banking S.A. and the VPS and the relevant identification

(viii) Intended to be held in a manner which would allow Eurosystem eligibility:

(vi) Delivery: Delivery [against/free of] payment

[ ] [Not Applicable]

[Yes. Note that the designation "yes" simply means that the Notes are intended upon issue to be deposited with one of the ICSDs as common safekeeper and does not necessarily mean that the Notes will be recognised as eligible collateral for Eurosystem monetary policy and intra day credit operations by the Eurosystem either upon issue or at any or all times during their life. Such recognition will depend upon the ECB being satisfied that Eurosystem eligibility criteria have been met.]/

[No. Whilst the designation is specified as "no" at the date of these Final Terms, should the Eurosystem eligibility criteria be amended in the future such that the Notes are capable of meeting them the Notes may then be deposited with one of the ICSDs as common safekeeper. Note that this does not necessarily mean that the Notes will then be recognised as eligible collateral for Eurosystem monetary policy and intra day credit operations by the Eurosystem at any time during their life. Such recognition will depend upon the ECB being satisfied that Eurosystem eligibility criteria have been met.]

6. USE OF PROCEEDS

	(i) Use of Proceeds:		[See the section entitled "Use of Proceeds" in the Offering Circular/Give details]]
			(See the section entitled "Use of Proceeds" in the Offering Circular – if reasons for offer differ from what is disclosed in the Offering Circular, give details here)
	(ii)	Estimated Net Proceeds:	[ ]
7.		DISTRIBUTION
	(i)	Stabilisation Manager(s) (if any):	[Not Applicable/[ ]]
	(ii)	Prohibition of Sales to EEA and UK Retail Investors:	[Applicable/Not Applicable] (If the Notes clearly do not constitute "packaged" products or the Notes do constitute "packaged" products and a key information document will be prepared, "Not Applicable" should be specified. If the Notes may constitute "packaged" products and no key information document will be prepared, "Applicable" should be specified.)
	(iii)	[Prohibition of Sales to Belgian Consumers:	[Applicable/Not Applicable] (N.B. advice should be taken from Belgian counsel before disapplying this selling restriction)]

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE NOTES OTHER THAN VPS NOTES

A13.4.7(B)

The following are the Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes which will be incorporated by reference into each global Note and each definitive Note, in the latter case only if permitted by the relevant stock exchange or listing authority (if any) and agreed by the Issuer and the relevant Dealer at the time of issue but, if not so permitted and agreed, such definitive Note will have endorsed thereon or attached thereto such Terms and Conditions. The applicable Final Terms (or the relevant provisions thereof) will be endorsed upon, or attached to, each temporary global Note, permanent global Note and definitive Note. Reference should be made to "Form of Final Terms" above for a description of the content of Final Terms which will include certain terms used in the following Terms and Conditions or specify which of such terms are to apply in relation to the relevant Notes.

This Note is one of a Series (as defined below) of Notes issued by Equinor ASA (the Issuer) pursuant to the Agency Agreement (as defined below).

References herein to the Notes shall be references to the Notes of this Series and shall mean:

(i) in relation to any Notes represented by a global Note, units of each Specified Denomination in the Specified Currency;
(ii) definitive Notes issued in exchange for a global Note; and
(iii) any global Note.

The Notes and the Coupons (as defined below) also have the benefit of an amended and restated Agency Agreement (such Agency Agreement, as modified and/or restated and/or supplemented from time to time, the Agency Agreement) dated 13 May 2020 and made among the Issuer, Equinor Energy AS (the Guarantor), The Bank of New York Mellon as issuing and principal paying agent and agent bank (the Agent, which expression shall include any successor agent specified in the applicable Final Terms) and the other paying agents named therein (together with the Agent, the Paying Agents, which expression shall include any additional or successor paying agents).

If so indicated in the applicable Final Terms, the Notes will (subject to Condition 2(c) (Termination of Guarantee)) have the benefit of the deed of guarantee executed by the Guarantor (such deed as modified and/or restated and/or supplemented from time to time, the Guarantee) dated 13 May 2020.

Interest bearing definitive Notes have interest coupons (Coupons) and in the case of Notes which, when issued in definitive form, have more than 27 interest payments remaining talons for further Coupons (Talons) attached on issue. Any reference herein to Coupons or coupons shall, unless the context otherwise requires, be deemed to include a reference to Talons or talons.

The final terms for this Note (or the relevant provisions thereof) are set out in Part A of the Final Terms attached to or endorsed on this Note and complete these Terms and Conditions. References to the applicable Final Terms are to Part A of the Final Terms (or the relevant provisions thereof) attached to or endorsed on this Note.

Any reference to Noteholders shall mean the holders of the Notes, and shall, in relation to any Notes represented by a global Note, be construed as provided below. Any reference herein to Couponholders shall mean the holders of any Coupons, and shall, unless the context otherwise requires, include the holders of any Talons.

As used herein, Tranche means all Notes with the same Issue Date and which are subject to the same Final Terms and Series means a Tranche of Notes together with any further Tranche or Tranches of Notes which are (i) expressed to be consolidated and form a single series and (ii) identical in all respects (including as to listing and admission to trading) except for their respective Issue Dates, Interest Commencement Dates and/or Issue Prices.

The Noteholders and the Couponholders are entitled to the benefit of the Deed of Covenant (such Deed of Covenant, as modified and/or restated and/or supplemented from time to time, the Deed of Covenant) dated 13 May 2020 and made by the Issuer. The original of the Deed of Covenant is held by a common depositary on behalf of Euroclear (as defined below) and Clearstream, Luxembourg (as defined below).

Copies of the Agency Agreement and the Deed of Covenant are available for inspection during normal business hours at the specified office of each of the Agent and the other Paying Agents. When the Notes are to be admitted to trading on the regulated market of the London Stock Exchange plc, the applicable Final Terms will be published on the website of the London Stock Exchange plc through a regulatory information service. The applicable Final Terms will, during normal business hours, be available for viewing at and copies may be obtained from the registered office of the Issuer and from the specified office of each of the Paying Agents by a Noteholder upon such Noteholder producing evidence satisfactory to the relevant Paying Agent as to identity. The Noteholders and the Couponholders are deemed to have notice of, and are entitled to the benefit of, all the provisions of the Agency Agreement and the applicable Final Terms which are applicable to them.

Words and expressions defined in the Agency Agreement or used in the applicable Final Terms shall have the same meanings where used in these Terms and Conditions unless the context otherwise requires or unless otherwise stated and provided that, in the event of inconsistency between the Agency Agreement and the applicable Final Terms, the applicable Final Terms will prevail.

1. Form, Denomination and Title

The Notes are in bearer form and, in the case of definitive Notes, serially numbered, in the currency (the Specified Currency) and the denominations (the Specified Denomination(s)) specified in the applicable Final Terms. Notes of one Specified Denomination may not be exchanged for Notes of another Specified Denomination.

This Note may be a Fixed Rate Note, a Floating Rate Note, a Zero Coupon Note or a combination of any of the foregoing, depending upon the Interest Basis shown in the applicable Final Terms.

Definitive Notes are issued with Coupons attached, unless they are Zero Coupon Notes in which case references to Coupons and Couponholders in these Terms and Conditions are not applicable.

Subject as set out below, title to the Notes and Coupons will pass by delivery. The Issuer, the Guarantor, and any Paying Agent may deem and treat the bearer of any Note or Coupon as the absolute owner thereof (whether or not overdue and notwithstanding any notice of ownership or writing thereon or notice of any previous loss or theft thereof) for all purposes but, in the case of any global Note, without prejudice to the provisions set out in the next succeeding paragraph.

For so long as any of the Notes is represented by a global Note held on behalf of Euroclear Bank SA/NV (Euroclear) and/or Clearstream Banking S.A. (Clearstream, Luxembourg) each person (other than Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg) who is for the time being shown in the records of Euroclear or of Clearstream, Luxembourg as the holder of a particular nominal amount of such Notes (in which regard any certificate or other document issued by Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg as to the nominal amount of such Notes standing to the account of any person shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes save in the case of manifest error) shall be treated by the Issuer, the Guarantor (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee), the Agent and any other Paying Agent as the holder of such nominal amount of such Notes for all purposes other than with respect to the payment of principal or interest on such nominal amount of such Notes, for which purpose the bearer of the relevant global Note shall be treated by the Issuer, the Guarantor (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee), the Agent and any other Paying Agent as the holder of such nominal amount of such Notes in accordance with and subject to the terms of the relevant global Note and the expressions Noteholder and holder of Notes and related expressions shall be construed accordingly. Notes which are represented by a global Note will be transferable only in accordance with the rules and procedures for the time being of Euroclear or of Clearstream, Luxembourg, as the case may be.

2. Status of the Notes and the Guarantee

(a) Status of the Notes

The Notes and the relative Coupons (if any) constitute unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the Issuer and shall at all times rank pari passu and without any preference among themselves. The payment obligations of the Issuer under the Notes and the relative Coupons (if any) shall, save for such exceptions as may be provided by applicable legislation, at all times rank at least equally with all its other present and future unsecured and unsubordinated obligations.

(b) Status of Guarantee

The obligations of the Guarantor under the Guarantee constitute unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the Guarantor and shall at all times rank pari passu and without any preference among themselves and (with the exception of obligations in respect of national and local taxes and certain other statutory exceptions and subject as aforesaid) at least equally with all its other present and future unsecured and unsubordinated obligations.

(c) Termination of Guarantee

(i) The Guarantee shall automatically and unconditionally be terminated on the Guarantee Termination Date. As soon as reasonably practicable after such termination (and by no later than 15 Business Days (as defined in Condition 3(b)(i) (Interest Payment Dates)) after the Guarantee Termination Date), the Guarantor or the Issuer shall provide notice of such termination to the Noteholders and Couponholders in accordance with Condition 12 (Notices).

For the purposes of this Condition 2(c)(i):

Guarantee Termination Date means the first date on which the aggregate amount of indebtedness for borrowed money for which the Guarantor is an obligor (as a guarantor, co-issuer or borrower) does not exceed 10 per cent. of the aggregate principal amount of indebtedness for borrowed money of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries (as defined in Condition 8 (Events of Default)), on a consolidated basis, as of such time; and

the amount of the Guarantor's indebtedness for borrowed money shall not include (A) any Notes subject to this Condition 2(c) (Termination of Guarantee), (B) any other debt the terms of which permit the termination of the Guarantor's guarantee of such debt under similar circumstances, as long as the Guarantor's obligations in respect of such other debt are terminated at substantially the same time as the Guarantee, and (C) any debt that is being refinanced at substantially the same time that the Guarantee of the Notes is being terminated, provided that any obligations of the Guarantor in respect of the debt that is incurred in the refinancing shall be included in the calculation of the Guarantor's indebtedness for borrowed money.

(ii) For the avoidance of doubt, the Notes may not be declared due and payable pursuant to Condition 8(e) (Events of Default) as a result of the Guarantee being terminated pursuant to this Condition 2(c) (Termination of Guarantee).

3. Interest

(a) Interest on Fixed Rate Notes

Each Fixed Rate Note bears interest from (and including) the Interest Commencement Date at the rate(s) per annum equal to the Rate(s) of Interest payable in arrear on the Interest Payment Date(s) in each year and on the Maturity Date if that does not fall on an Interest Payment Date.

If the Notes are in definitive form, except as provided in the applicable Final Terms, the amount of interest payable on each Interest Payment Date in respect of the Fixed Interest Period ending on (but excluding) such date will amount to the Fixed Coupon Amount. Payments of interest on any Interest Payment Date will, if so specified in the applicable Final Terms, amount to the Broken Amount(s) so specified.

As used in these Conditions, Fixed Interest Period means the period from (and including) an Interest Payment Date (or the Interest Commencement Date) to (but excluding) the next (or first) Interest Payment Date.

Except in the case of Notes in definitive form where a Fixed Coupon Amount or Broken Amount is specified in the applicable Final Terms, interest shall be calculated in respect of any period by applying the Rate of Interest to:

(A) in the case of Fixed Rate Notes which are represented by a Global Note, the aggregate outstanding nominal amount of the Fixed Rate Notes represented by such Global Note; or
(B) in the case of Fixed Rate Notes in definitive form, the Calculation Amount,

and, in each case, multiplying such sum by the applicable Day Count Fraction.

The resultant figure (including after application of any Fixed Coupon Amount or Broken Amount to the Calculation Amount in the case of Fixed Rate Notes in definitive form) shall be rounded to the nearest sub-unit of the relevant Specified Currency, half of any such sub-unit being rounded upwards or otherwise in accordance with applicable market convention.

Where the Specified Denomination of a Fixed Rate Note in definitive form is a multiple of the Calculation Amount, the amount of interest payable in respect of such Fixed Rate Note shall be the product of the amount (determined in the manner provided above) for the Calculation Amount and the amount by which the Calculation Amount is multiplied to reach the Specified Denomination, without any further rounding.

In these Conditions, Day Count Fraction means, in respect of the calculation of an amount of interest in accordance with this Condition 3(a) (Interest on Fixed Rate Notes):

(i) if "Actual/Actual (ICMA)" is specified in the applicable Final Terms:
- (a) in the case of Notes where the number of days in the relevant period from (and including) the most recent Interest Payment Date (or, if none, the Interest Commencement Date) to (but excluding) the relevant payment date (the Accrual Period) is equal to or shorter than the Determination Period during which the Accrual Period ends, the number of days in such Accrual Period divided by the product of (1) the number of days in such Determination Period and (2) the number of Determination Dates (as specified in the applicable Final Terms) that would occur in one calendar year; or
- (b) in the case of Notes where the Accrual Period is longer than the Determination Period during which the Accrual Period ends, the sum of:
  - (1) the number of days in such Accrual Period falling in the Determination Period in which the Accrual Period begins divided by the product of (x) the number of days in such Determination Period and (y) the number of Determination Dates (as specified in the applicable Final Terms) that would occur in one calendar year; and
  - (2) the number of days in such Accrual Period falling in the next Determination Period divided by the product of (x) the number of days in such Determination Period and (y) the number of Determination Dates that would occur in one calendar year; and
(ii) if "30/360" is specified in the applicable Final Terms, the number of days in the period from (and including) the most recent Interest Payment Date (or, if none, the Interest Commencement Date) to (but excluding) the relevant payment date (such number of days being calculated on the basis of a year of 360 days with 12 30-day months) divided by 360.

In these Conditions:

Determination Period means each period from (and including) a Determination Date to but excluding the next Determination Date (including, where either the Interest Commencement Date or the final Interest Payment Date is not a Determination Date, the period commencing on the first Determination Date prior to, and ending on the first Determination Date following after, such date); and

sub-unit means, with respect to any currency other than euro, the lowest amount of such currency that is available as legal tender in the country of such currency and, with respect to euro, means one cent.

(b) Interest on Floating Rate Notes

(i) Interest Payment Dates

Each Floating Rate Note bears interest from (and including) the Interest Commencement Date and such interest will be payable in arrear on either:

(A) the Specified Interest Payment Date(s) (each an Interest Payment Date) in each year specified in the applicable Final Terms; or
(B) if no Specified Interest Payment Date(s) is/are specified in the applicable Final Terms, each date (each an Interest Payment Date) which falls the number of months or other period specified as the Specified Period in the applicable Final Terms after the preceding Interest Payment Date or, in the case of the first Interest Payment Date, after the Interest Commencement Date.

Such interest will be payable in respect of each Interest Period (which expression, shall, in these Terms and Conditions, mean the period from (and including) an Interest Payment Date (or the Interest Commencement Date) to (but excluding) the next (or first) Interest Payment Date or the relevant payment date if the Notes become payable on a date other than an Interest Payment Date).

If a Business Day Convention is specified in the applicable Final Terms and (x) if there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month in which an Interest Payment Date should occur or (y) if any Interest Payment Date would otherwise fall on a day which is not a Business Day, then, if the Business Day convention specified is:

(1) in any case where Specified Periods are specified in accordance with Condition 3(b)(i)(B) above, the Floating Rate Convention, such Interest Payment Date (i) in the case of (x) above, shall be the last day that is a Business Day in the relevant month and the provisions of (B) below shall apply mutatis mutandis or (ii) in the case of (y) above, shall be postponed to the next day which is a Business Day unless it would thereby fall into the next calendar month, in which event (A) such Interest Payment Date shall be brought forward to the immediately preceding Business Day and (B) each subsequent Interest Payment Date shall be the last Business Day in the month which falls in the Specified Period after the preceding applicable Interest Payment Date occurred; or
(2) the Following Business Day Convention, such Interest Payment Date shall be postponed to the next day which is a Business Day; or
(3) the Modified Following Business Day Convention, such Interest Payment Date shall be postponed to the next day which is a Business Day unless it would thereby fall into the next calendar month, in which event such Interest Payment Date shall be brought forward to the immediately preceding Business Day; or
(4) the Preceding Business Day Convention, such Interest Payment Date shall be brought forward to the immediately preceding Business Day.

In this Condition, Business Day means:

(A) a day on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets settle payments and are open for general business (including dealing in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in any Additional Business Centre (other than TARGET2 System) specified in the applicable Final Terms;
(A) if TARGET2 System is specified as an Additional Business Centre in the applicable Final Terms, a day on which the Trans-European Automated Real-Time Gross Settlement Express Transfer (TARGET2) System (the TARGET2 System) is open; and
(B) either (1) in relation to any sum payable in a Specified Currency other than euro, a day on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets settle payments and are open for general business (including dealing in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in the principal financial centre of the country of the relevant Specified Currency (which if the Specified Currency is New Zealand dollars shall be Auckland) or (2) in relation to any sum payable in euro, a day on which the TARGET2 System is open.
(ii) Rate of Interest

The Rate of Interest payable from time to time in respect of Floating Rate Notes will be determined in the manner specified in the applicable Final Terms.

(A) ISDA Determination for Floating Rate Notes

Where ISDA Determination is specified in the applicable Final Terms as the manner in which the Rate of Interest is to be determined, the Rate of Interest for each Interest Period will be the relevant ISDA Rate plus or minus (as indicated in the applicable Final Terms) the Margin (if any). For the purposes of this sub-paragraph (A), ISDA Rate for an Interest Period means a rate equal to the Floating Rate that would be determined by the Agent or the Calculation Agent, as applicable, under an interest rate swap transaction if the Agent or the Calculation Agent, as applicable, were acting as Calculation Agent (as defined in the ISDA Definitions (as defined below)) for that swap transaction under the terms of an agreement incorporating the 2006 ISDA Definitions as amended and updated as at the Issue Date of the first Tranche of the Notes, published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (the ISDA Definitions) and under which:

(1) the Floating Rate Option is as specified in the applicable Final Terms;

(2) the Designated Maturity is a period specified in the applicable Final Terms; and
(3) the relevant Reset Date is the day specified in the applicable Final Terms.

For the purposes of this sub-paragraph (A), (i) Floating Rate, Floating Rate Option, Designated Maturity and Reset Date have the meanings given to those terms in the ISDA Definitions, (ii) the definition of Banking Day in the ISDA Definitions shall be amended to insert after the words "are open for" in the second line, the word "general" and (iii) Euro-zone means the region comprised of Member States of the European Union that adopt the single currency in accordance with the Treaty on European Union.

(B) Screen Rate Determination for Floating Rate Notes

Where Screen Rate Determination is specified in the applicable Final Terms as the manner in which the Rate of Interest is to be determined, the Rate of Interest for each Interest Period will, subject to Condition 3(b)(viii) (Benchmark Discontinuation) and subject as provided below, be either:

(1) the offered quotation; or
(2) the arithmetic mean (rounded if necessary to the fifth decimal place, with 0.000005 being rounded upwards) of the offered quotations,

(expressed as a percentage rate per annum) for the Reference Rate (being either LIBOR or EURIBOR or NIBOR or STIBOR, in each case for the relevant currency and/or period, all as specified in the applicable Final Terms) which appears or appear, as the case may be, on the Relevant Screen Page (or such replacement page on that service which displays the information) as at the Specified Time on the Interest Determination Date in question plus or minus (as indicated in the applicable Final Terms) the Margin (if any), all as determined by the Agent or the Calculation Agent, as applicable. If five or more of such offered quotations are available on the Relevant Screen Page, the highest (or, if there is more than one such highest quotation, one only of such quotations) and the lowest (or, if there is more than one such lowest quotation, one only of such quotations) shall be disregarded by the Agent or the Calculation Agent, as applicable, for the purpose of determining the arithmetic mean (rounded as provided above) of such offered quotations.

If, other than in the circumstances described in Condition 3(b)(viii) (Benchmark Discontinuation) below, the Relevant Screen Page is not available or if, in the case of Condition 3(b)(ii)(B)(1), no such offered quotation appears or, in the case of Condition 3(b)(ii)(B)(2), fewer than three such offered quotations appear, in each case as at the time specified in Condition 3(b)(ii)(B) the Agent or the Calculation Agent, as applicable, shall request each of the Reference Banks to provide the Agent or the Calculation Agent, as applicable, with its offered quotation (expressed as a percentage rate per annum) for the Reference Rate at approximately the Specified Time on the Interest Determination Date in question. If two or more of the Reference Banks provide the Agent or the Calculation Agent, as applicable, with such offered quotations, the Rate of Interest for such Interest Period shall be the arithmetic mean (rounded if necessary to the fifth decimal place with 0.000005 being rounded upwards) of such offered quotations plus or minus (as appropriate) the Margin (if any), all as determined by the Agent or the Calculation Agent, as applicable.

If on any Interest Determination Date one only or none of the Reference Banks provides the Agent or the Calculation Agent, as applicable, with such offered quotations as provided in the preceding paragraph, the Rate of Interest for the relevant Interest Period shall be the rate per annum which the Agent or the Calculation Agent, as applicable, determines as being the arithmetic mean (rounded if necessary to the fifth decimal place, with 0.000005 being rounded upwards) of the rates, as communicated to (and at the request of) the Agent or the Calculation Agent, as applicable, by the Reference Banks or any two or more of them, at which such banks were offered, at approximately the Specified Time on the relevant Interest Determination Date, deposits in the Specified Currency for a period equal to that which would have been used for the Reference Rate by leading banks in the London inter-bank market (if the Reference Rate is LIBOR) or the Eurozone inter-bank market (if the Reference Rate is EURIBOR) or the Norwegian inter-bank market (if the Reference Rate is NIBOR) or the Stockholm interbank market (if the Reference Rate is STIBOR) plus or minus (as appropriate) the Margin (if any) or, if fewer than two of the Reference Banks provide the Agent or the Calculation Agent, as applicable, with such offered rates, the offered rate for deposits in the Specified Currency for a period equal to that which would have been used for the Reference Rate, or the arithmetic mean (rounded as provided above) of the offered rates for deposits in the Specified Currency for a period equal to that which would have been used for the Reference Rate, at which, at approximately the Specified Time on the relevant Interest Determination Date, any one or more banks (which bank or banks is or are in the opinion of the Issuer suitable for such purpose) informs the Agent or the Calculation Agent, as applicable, it is quoting to leading banks in the London inter-bank market (if the Reference Rate is LIBOR) or the Euro-zone inter-bank market (if the Reference Rate is EURIBOR) or the Norwegian interbank market (if the Reference Rate is NIBOR) or the Stockholm inter-bank market (if the Reference Rate is STIBOR) plus or minus (as appropriate) the Margin (if any), provided that, if the Rate of Interest cannot be determined in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, the Rate of Interest shall be determined as at the last preceding Interest Determination Date (though substituting, where a different Margin is to be applied to the relevant Interest Period from that which applied to the last preceding Interest Period, the Margin relating to the relevant Interest Period, in place of the Margin relating to that last preceding Interest Period).

Reference Banks means, in the case of Condition 3(b)(ii)(B)(1) above, those banks whose offered rates were used to determine such quotation when such quotation last appeared on the Relevant Screen Page and, in the case of Condition 3(b)(ii)(B)(2) above, those banks whose offered quotations last appeared on the Relevant Screen Page when no fewer than three such offered quotations appeared.

Specified Time means 11.00 a.m. (London time) if the Reference Rate is LIBOR, 11.00 a.m. (Brussels time) if the Reference Rate is EURIBOR, 11.00 a.m. (Stockholm time) if the Reference Rate is STIBOR or 12.00 noon (Oslo time) if the Reference Rate is NIBOR.

(iii) Minimum and/or Maximum Rate of Interest

If the applicable Final Terms specifies a Minimum Rate of Interest for any Interest Period, then, in the event that the Rate of Interest in respect of such Interest Period determined in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (ii) above is less than such Minimum Rate of Interest, the Rate of Interest for such Interest Period shall be such Minimum Rate of Interest. If the applicable Final Terms specifies a Maximum Rate of Interest for any Interest Period, then, in the event that the Rate of Interest in respect of such Interest Period determined in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (ii) above is greater than such Maximum Rate of Interest, the Rate of Interest for such Interest Period shall be such Maximum Rate of Interest.

(iv) Determination of Rate of Interest and Calculation of Interest Amounts

The Agent or the Calculation Agent, as applicable, will at or as soon as practicable after each time at which the Rate of Interest is to be determined, determine the Rate of Interest for the relevant Interest Period.

The Agent or the Calculation Agent, as applicable, will calculate the amount of interest (the Interest Amount) payable on the Floating Rate Notes for the relevant Interest Period by applying the Rate of Interest to:

(A) in the case of Floating Rate Notes which are represented by a Global Note, the aggregate outstanding nominal amount of the Notes represented by such Global Note; or
(B) in the case of Floating Rate Notes in definitive form, the Calculation Amount;

and, in each case, multiplying such sum by the applicable Day Count Fraction, and rounding the resultant figure to the nearest sub-unit of the relevant Specified Currency half of any such sub-unit being rounded upwards or otherwise in accordance with applicable market convention. Where the Specified Denomination of a Floating Rate Note in definitive form is a multiple of the Calculation Amount, the Interest Amount payable in respect of such Note shall be the product of the amount (determined in the manner provided above) for the Calculation Amount and the amount by which the Calculation Amount is multiplied to reach the Specified Denomination, without any further rounding.

Day Count Fraction means, in respect of the calculation of an amount of interest in accordance with this Condition 3 (Interest):

(i) if "Actual/Actual (ISDA)" or "Actual/Actual" is specified in the applicable Final Terms, the actual number of days in the Interest Period divided by 365 (or, if any portion of that Interest Period falls in a leap year, the sum of (I) the actual number of days in that portion of the Interest Period falling in a leap year divided by 366 and (II) the actual number of days in that portion of the Interest Period falling in a non-leap year divided by 365);
(ii) if "Actual/365 (Fixed)" is specified in the applicable Final Terms, the actual number of days in the Interest Period divided by 365;
(iii) if "Actual/365 (Sterling)" is specified in the applicable Final Terms, the actual number of days in the Interest Period divided by 365 or, in the case of an Interest Payment Date falling in a leap year, 366;
(iv) if "Actual/360" is specified in the applicable Final Terms, the actual number of days in the Interest Period divided by 360;
(v) if "30/360", "360/360" or "Bond Basis" is specified in the applicable Final Terms, the number of days in the Interest Period divided by 360, calculated on a formula basis as follows:

$$\text{Day Count Fraction} = \frac{[\text{360} \times (\text{Y}_2 - \text{Y}_1)] + [\text{30} \times (\text{M}_2 - \text{M}_1)] + (\text{D}_2 - \text{D}_1)}{\text{360}} \text{ }^\circ$$

where:

"Y1" is the year, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the Interest Period falls:

"Y2" is the year, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day of the Interest Period falls;

"M1" is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the Interest Period falls;

"M2" is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day of the Interest Period falls;

"D1" is the first calendar day, expressed as a number, of the Interest Period, unless such number is 31, in which case D¹ will be 30; and

"D2" is the calendar day, expressed as a number, immediately following the last day included in the Interest Period, unless such number would be 31 and D¹ is greater than 29, in which case D² will be 30;

(vi) if "30E/360" or "Eurobond Basis" is specified in the applicable Final Terms, the number of days in the Interest Period divided by 360, calculated on a formula basis as follows:

$$\text{Day Count Fraction} = \frac{[\text{360} \times (\text{Y}_2 - \text{Y}_1)] + [\text{30} \times (\text{M}_2 - \text{M}_1)] + (\text{D}_2 - \text{D}_1)}{\text{360}}$$

where:

"Y1" is the year, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the Interest Period falls:

"Y2" is the year, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day of the Interest Period falls;

"M1" is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the Interest Period falls;

"M2" is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day of the Interest Period falls;

"D1" is the first calendar day, expressed as a number, of the Interest Period, unless such number would be 31, in which case D¹ will be 30; and

"D2" is the calendar day, expressed as a number, immediately following the last day included in the Interest Period, unless such number would be 31, in which case D² will be 30; or

(vii) if "30E/360 (ISDA)" is specified in the applicable Final Terms, the number of days in the Interest Period divided by 360, calculated on a formula basis as follows:

$$\text{Day Count Fraction} = \frac{[\text{360} \times (\text{Y}_2 - \text{Y}_1)] + [\text{30} \times (\text{M}_2 - \text{M}_1)] + (\text{D}_2 - \text{D}_1)}{\text{360}} \text{ }^\circ$$

where:

"Y1" is the year, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the Interest Period falls:

"Y2" is the year, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day of the Interest Period falls;

"M1" is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the Interest Period falls;

"M2" is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day of the Interest Period falls;

"D1" is the first calendar day, expressed as a number, of the Interest Period, unless (i) that day is the last day of February or (ii) such number would be 31, in which case D1 will be 30; and

"D2" is the calendar day, expressed as a number, immediately following the last day included in the Interest Period, unless (i) that day is the last day of February but not the Maturity Date or (ii) such number would be 31 and D² will be 30.

(v) Linear Interpolation

Where Linear Interpolation is specified as applicable in respect of an Interest Period in the applicable Final Terms, the Rate of Interest for such Interest Period shall be calculated by the Agent or the Calculation Agent, as applicable, by straight line linear interpolation by reference to two rates based on the relevant Reference Rate (where Screen Rate Determination is specified as applicable in the applicable Final Terms) or the relevant Floating Rate Option (where ISDA Determination is specified as applicable in the applicable Final Terms), one of which shall be determined as if the Designated Maturity were the period of time for which rates are available next shorter than the length of the relevant Interest Period and the other of which shall be determined as if the Designated Maturity were the period of time for which rates are available next longer than the length of the relevant Interest Period provided however that if there is no rate available for a period of time next shorter or, as the case may be, next longer, then the Agent or the Calculation Agent, as applicable, shall determine such rate at such time and by reference to such sources as an independent adviser, appointed by the Issuer and acting in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner as an expert, determines appropriate.

Designated Maturity means, in relation to Screen Rate Determination, the period of time designated in the Reference Rate.

(vi) Notification of Rate of Interest and Interest Amounts

The Agent or the Calculation Agent, as applicable, will cause the Rate of Interest and each Interest Amount for each Interest Period and the relevant Interest Payment Date to be notified to the Issuer and any stock exchange on which the relevant Floating Rate Notes are for the time being listed and notice thereof to be published in accordance with Condition 12 (Notices) as soon as possible after their determination but in no event later than the fourth London Business Day thereafter. Each Interest Amount and Interest Payment Date so notified may subsequently be amended (or appropriate alternative arrangements made by way of adjustment) without prior notice in the event of an extension or shortening of the Interest Period. Any such amendment will be promptly notified to each stock exchange on which the relevant Floating Rate Notes are for the time being listed and to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 12 (Notices). For the purposes of this paragraph, the expression "London Business Day" means a day (other than a Saturday or a Sunday) on which banks and foreign exchange markets are open for general business in London.

(vii) Certificates to be Final

All certificates, communications, opinions, determinations, calculations, quotations and decisions given, expressed, made or obtained for the purposes of the provisions of this Condition 3(b) (Interest on Floating Rate Notes) by the Agent, an Independent Adviser (as defined below) or the Calculation Agent, as applicable, shall (in the absence of wilful default, bad faith or manifest error) be binding on the Issuer, the Guarantor (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee), the Agent, the other Paying Agents and all Noteholders and Couponholders and (in the absence as aforesaid) no liability to the Issuer, the Guarantor (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee), the Noteholders or the Couponholders shall attach to the Agent, an Independent Adviser or the Calculation Agent, as applicable, in connection with the exercise or non-exercise by it of its powers, duties and discretions pursuant to such provisions.

(viii) Benchmark Discontinuation

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Condition 3(b) (Interest on Floating Rate Notes), if the Issuer determines that a Benchmark Event (as defined below) has occurred in relation to a Reference Rate at any time when any Rate of Interest (or the relevant component thereof) remains to be determined by reference to such Reference Rate, then the following provisions shall apply:

(A) the Issuer shall use reasonable endeavours to appoint, as soon as reasonably practicable, an Independent Adviser (as defined below) to determine (without any requirement for any consent or approval of the Noteholders or the Couponholders), no later than 10 days prior to the relevant Interest Determination Date relating to the next succeeding Interest Period (the IA Determination Cut-off Date), a Successor Rate (as defined below) or, alternatively, if there is no Successor Rate, an Alternative Reference Rate (as defined below), and in either case an Adjustment Spread (as defined below) (if applicable), for the purposes of determining the Rate of Interest (or the relevant component part thereof) applicable to the Notes;
(B) if a Successor Rate or, failing which, an Alternative Reference Rate (as applicable) is determined in accordance with paragraph (A) above, such Successor Rate or, failing which, such Alternative Reference Rate (as applicable) shall be the Reference Rate for each of the future Interest Periods for which the Rate of Interest (or the relevant component thereof) was otherwise to be determined by reference to the relevant Reference Rate (subject to the subsequent operation of, and to adjustment as provided in, this Condition 3(b)(viii) (Benchmark Discontinuation));
(C) if the Independent Adviser determines a Successor Rate or, failing which, an Alternative Reference Rate (as applicable) in accordance with the above provisions, the Independent Adviser, following consultation with the Issuer, may also specify changes to these Conditions, including but not limited to the Day Count Fraction, Relevant Screen Page, Specified Time, Business Day Convention, Business Day, Interest Determination Date, Reference Banks, Additional Business Centre and/or the definition of Reference Rate applicable to the Notes, and/or the method for determining the fallback to the Reference Rate in relation to the Notes, in each case in order to follow market practice in relation to the Successor Rate or the Alternative Reference Rate (as applicable). If the Independent Adviser (in consultation with the Issuer) determines that an Adjustment Spread (as defined below) is required to be applied to the Successor Rate or the Alternative Reference Rate (as applicable) and determines the quantum of, or a formula or methodology for determining, such Adjustment Spread, then such Adjustment Spread shall be applied to the Successor Rate or the Alternative Reference Rate (as applicable). If the Independent Adviser is unable to determine the quantum of, or a formula or methodology for determining, such Adjustment Spread, then such Successor Rate or Alternative Reference Rate (as applicable) will apply without an Adjustment Spread (subject to the subsequent operation of, and to adjustment as provided in, this Condition 3(b)(viii) (Benchmark Discontinuation)). For the avoidance of doubt, the Issuer and the Agent (if applicable) shall, without the requirement for any consent or approval of the Noteholders or the Couponholders, be obliged to use its reasonable endeavours to effect such amendments to the Agency Agreement and these Conditions, as applicable, as may be specified by the Independent Adviser following consultation with the Issuer in order to give effect to this Condition 3(b)(viii)(C) (such amendments, the Benchmark Amendments). For

the avoidance of doubt, no Noteholder or Couponholder consent shall be required in connection with effecting the Benchmark Amendments or such other changes, including for the execution of any documents, amendments or other steps by the Issuer, the Guarantor (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) or the Agent (if required).

(D) the Issuer shall promptly, following the determination of any Successor Rate or Alternative Reference Rate (as applicable) and the specific terms of any Benchmark Amendments give notice thereof to the Agent and, in accordance with Condition 12 (Notices), the Noteholders and the Couponholders (which notice shall be irrevocable);
(E) if a Successor Rate or an Alternative Reference Rate is not determined by an Independent Adviser in accordance with the above provisions prior to the relevant IA Determination Cut-off Date, then the Rate of Interest for the next Interest Period shall be determined by reference to the original Reference Rate and the fallback provisions set out in Condition 3(b)(i)(B); for the avoidance of doubt, in such circumstances the Rate of Interest for any subsequent Interest Periods shall be subject to the subsequent operation of, and to adjustment as provided in, this Condition 3(b)(viii) (Benchmark Discontinuation); and
(F) an Independent Adviser appointed pursuant to this Condition 3(b)(viii) (Benchmark Discontinuation) shall act in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner and in accordance with the provisions of this Condition 3(b)(viii) (Benchmark Discontinuation) in respect of any determination made by it pursuant to this Condition 3(b)(viii) (Benchmark Discontinuation).

For the purposes of this Condition 3(b)(viii) (Benchmark Discontinuation):

Adjustment Spread means a spread (which may be positive or negative), quantum or formula or methodology for calculating a spread, which the Independent Adviser (in consultation with the Issuer) determines is required to be applied to the Successor Rate or the Alternative Reference Rate (as applicable) in order to reduce or eliminate, to the extent reasonably practicable in the circumstances, any economic prejudice or benefit (as applicable) to Noteholders and Couponholders as a result of the replacement of the Reference Rate with the Successor Rate or the Alternative Reference Rate (as applicable) and is the spread, quantum, formula or methodology which:

(1) in the case of a Successor Rate, is formally recommended in relation to the replacement of the Reference Rate with the Successor Rate by any Relevant Nominating Body (as defined below); or
(2) in the case of a Successor Rate for which no such recommendation as referred to in (1) above has been made, or in the case of an Alternative Reference Rate, the Independent Adviser (in consultation with the Issuer) determines is recognised or acknowledged as being in customary market usage in international debt capital markets transactions which reference the Reference Rate, where such rate has

been replaced by the Successor Rate or the Alternative Reference Rate (as applicable); or

(3) if the Independent Adviser determines that neither (1) nor (2) above applies, the Independent Adviser (in consultation with the Issuer) in its discretion determines (acting in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner) to be appropriate;

Alternative Reference Rate means the rate that the Independent Adviser (in consultation with the Issuer) determines (acting in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner) has replaced the relevant Reference Rate in customary market usage in the international debt capital markets for the purposes of determining floating rates of interest (or the relevant component thereof) in respect of bonds denominated in the Specified Currency and with an interest period of a comparable duration to the relevant Interest Period, or, if the Independent Adviser (in consultation with the Issuer) determines that there is no such rate, such other rate as the Independent Adviser (in consultation with the Issuer) determines in its sole discretion is most comparable to the relevant Reference Rate;

Benchmark Event means, with respect to a Reference Rate:

(1) the Reference Rate (A) ceasing to be published for a period of at least five consecutive Business Days or (B) ceasing to exist or be administered; or
(2) the later of (A) the making of a public statement by the administrator of such Reference Rate that it will, on or before a specified date, cease publishing such Reference Rate permanently or indefinitely (in circumstances where no successor administrator has been appointed that will continue publication of such Reference Rate) and (B) the date falling six months prior to the specified date referred to in (2)(A); or
(3) the making of a public statement by the supervisor of the administrator of such Reference Rate that such Reference Rate has been permanently or indefinitely discontinued; or
(4) the later of (A) the making of a public statement by the supervisor of the administrator of such Reference Rate that such Reference Rate will, on or before a specified date, be permanently or indefinitely discontinued and (B) the date falling six months prior to the specified date referred to in (4)(A); or
(5) the later of (A) the making of a public statement by the supervisor of the administrator of such Reference Rate that means such Reference Rate will be prohibited from being used or that its use will be subject to restrictions or adverse consequences, in each case on or before a specified date and (B) the date falling six months prior to the specified date referred to in (5)(A); or
(6) a public statement by the supervisor of the administrator of such Reference Rate that, in the view of such supervisor, such Reference Rate is no longer representative of an underlying market; or

(7) it has, or will prior to the next Interest Determination Date become unlawful for the Issuer, the Agent, the Calculation Agent, any other party specified in the applicable Final Terms as being responsible for calculating the Rate of Interest or any Paying Agent to calculate any payments due to be made to any Noteholder or Couponholder using such Reference Rate;

Independent Adviser means an independent financial institution of international repute or other independent financial adviser experienced in the international debt capital markets, in each case appointed by the Issuer at its own expense;

Relevant Nominating Body means, in respect of a Reference Rate:

(1) the central bank for the currency to which the Reference Rate relates, or any central bank or other supervisory authority which is responsible for supervising the administrator of the Reference Rate; or
(2) any working group or committee sponsored by, chaired or co-chaired by or constituted at the request of (a) the central bank for the currency to which the Reference Rate relates, (b) any central bank or other supervisory authority which is responsible for supervising the administrator of the Reference Rate, (c) a group of the aforementioned central banks or other supervisory authorities, or (d) the Financial Stability Board or any part thereof; and

Successor Rate means the rate that the Independent Adviser (in consultation with the Issuer) determines (acting in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner) is a successor to or replacement of the Reference Rate which is formally recommended by any Relevant Nominating Body.

(c) Accrual of Interest

Each Note (or in the case of the redemption of part only of a Note, that part only of such Note) will cease to bear interest (if any) from the date for its redemption unless payment of principal is improperly withheld or refused. In such event, interest will continue to accrue until whichever is the earlier of:

(i) the date on which all amounts due in respect of such Note have been paid; and
(ii) five days after the date on which the full amount of the moneys payable in respect of such Note has been received by the Agent and notice to that effect has been given to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 12 (Notices).

4. Payments

(a) Method of Payment

Subject as provided below:

(i) payments in a Specified Currency other than euro will be made by transfer to an account in the relevant Specified Currency maintained by the payee with, or at the option of the payee by a cheque in such Specified Currency drawn on, a bank in the principal financial centre of the country of such Specified Currency (which, if the Specified Currency is New Zealand dollars, shall be Auckland); and

(ii) payments in euro will be made by credit or transfer to a euro account (or any other account to which euro may be credited or transferred) specified by the payee or at the option of the payee, by a euro cheque.

Payments will be subject in all cases to any fiscal or other laws and regulations applicable thereto in the place of payment, but without prejudice to the provisions of Condition 6 (Taxation).

(b) Presentation of definitive Notes and Coupons

Payments of principal in respect of definitive Notes will (subject as provided below) be made in the manner provided in paragraph (a) above only against presentation and surrender (or, in the case of part payment of any sum due, endorsement) of definitive Notes, and payments of interest in respect of definitive Notes will (subject as provided below) be made as aforesaid only against presentation and surrender (or, in the case of part payment of any sum due, endorsement) of Coupons, in each case at the specified office of any Paying Agent outside the United States (which expression, as used herein, means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia and its possessions)).

Fixed Rate Notes in definitive form should be presented for payment together with all unmatured Coupons appertaining thereto (which expression shall for this purpose include Coupons falling to be issued on exchange of matured Talons), failing which the amount of any missing unmatured Coupon (or, in the case of payment not being made in full, the same proportion of the amount of such missing unmatured Coupon as the sum so paid bears to the sum due) will be deducted from the sum due for payment. Each amount of principal so deducted will be paid in the manner mentioned above against surrender of the relative missing Coupon at any time before the expiry of 10 years after the Relevant Date (as defined in Condition 6 (Taxation)) in respect of such principal (whether or not such Coupon would otherwise have become void under Condition 7 (Prescription)) or, if later, five years from the date on which such Coupon would otherwise have become due, but in no event thereafter.

Upon any Fixed Rate Note in definitive form becoming due and repayable prior to its Maturity Date, all unmatured Talons (if any) appertaining thereto will become void and no further Coupons will be issued in respect thereof.

Upon the date on which any Floating Rate Note in definitive form becomes due and repayable, unmatured Coupons and Talons (if any) relating thereto (whether or not attached) shall become void and no payment or, as the case may be, exchange for further Coupons shall be made in respect thereof.

If the due date for redemption of any definitive Note is not an Interest Payment Date, interest (if any) accrued in respect of such Note from (and including) the preceding Interest Payment Date or, as the case may be, the Interest Commencement Date shall be payable only against surrender of the relevant definitive Note.

(c) Payments in respect of global Notes

Payments of principal and interest (if any) in respect of Notes represented by any global Note will (subject as provided below) be made in the manner specified above in relation to definitive Notes or otherwise in the manner specified in the relevant global Note, where applicable against presentation or surrender, as the case may be, of such global Note at the specified office of any Paying Agent outside the United States.

A record of each payment made against presentation or surrender of such global Note, distinguishing between any payment of principal and any payment of interest, will be made on such global Note either by the Paying Agent to which it was presented or in the records of Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg, as applicable.

(d) General provisions applicable to payments

The holder of a global Note shall be the only person entitled to receive payments in respect of Notes represented by such global Note and the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor will be discharged by payment to, or to the order of, the holder of such global Note in respect of each amount so paid. Each of the persons shown in the records of Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg as the beneficial holder of a particular nominal amount of Notes represented by such global Note must look solely to Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg, as the case may be, for his share of each payment so made by the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor to, or to the order of, the holder of such global Note.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Condition, if any amount of principal and/or interest in respect of Notes is payable in U.S. dollars, such U.S. dollar payments of principal and/or interest in respect of such Notes will be made at the specified office of a Paying Agent in the United States if:

(i) the Issuer has appointed Paying Agents with specified offices outside the United States with the reasonable expectation that such Paying Agents would be able to make payment in U.S. dollars at such specified offices outside the United States of the full amount of principal and interest on the Notes in the manner provided above when due;
(ii) payment of the full amount of such principal and interest at all such specified offices outside the United States is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange controls or other similar restrictions on the full payment or receipt of principal and interest in U.S. dollars; and
(iii) such payment is then permitted under United States law without involving, in the opinion of the Issuer and the Guarantor (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee), adverse tax consequences to the Issuer and the Guarantor (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee).

(e) Payment Day

If the date for payment of any amount in respect of any Note or Coupon is not a Payment Day, the holder thereof shall not be entitled to payment until the next following Payment Day in the relevant place and shall not be entitled to further interest or other payment in respect of such delay. For these purposes, Payment Day means any day which (subject to Condition 7 (Prescription)) is:

(i) a day on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets settle payments and are open for general business (including dealing in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in:
- (a) in the case of Notes in definitive form only, the relevant place of presentation;
- (b) each Additional Financial Centre (other than TARGET2 System) specified in the applicable Final Terms;
(ii) if TARGET2 System is specified as an Additional Financial Centre in the applicable Final Terms, a day on which the TARGET2 System is open; and
(iii) either (1) in relation to any sum payable in a Specified Currency other than euro, a day on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets settle payments and are open for general business (including dealing in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in the principal financial centre of the country of the relevant Specified Currency (which if the Specified Currency is New Zealand dollars shall be Auckland) or (2) in relation to any sum payable in euro, a day on which the TARGET2 System is open.

(f) Interpretation of Principal and Interest

Any reference in these Terms and Conditions to principal in respect of the Notes shall be deemed to include, as applicable:

(i) any additional amounts which may be payable with respect to principal under Condition 6 (Taxation);
(ii) the Final Redemption Amount of the Notes;
(iii) the Early Redemption Amount of the Notes;
(iv) the Optional Redemption Amount(s) (if any) of the Notes;
(v) the Make-Whole Redemption Amount(s) (if any) of the Notes;
(vi) the Residual Call Early Redemption Amount (if any) of the Notes; and
(vii) any premium and any other amounts (other than interest) which may be payable by the Issuer under or in respect of the Notes.

Any reference in these Terms and Conditions to interest in respect of the Notes shall be deemed to include, as applicable, any additional amounts which may be payable with respect to interest under Condition 6 (Taxation).

5. Redemption and Purchase

(a) At Maturity

Unless previously redeemed or purchased and cancelled as specified below, each Note will be redeemed by the Issuer at its Final Redemption Amount specified in, or determined in the manner specified in, the applicable Final Terms in the relevant Specified Currency on the Maturity Date.

(b) Redemption for Tax Reasons

The Notes may be redeemed at the option of the Issuer in whole, but not in part, at any time (if this Note is not a Floating Rate Note) or on any Interest Payment Date (if this Note is a Floating Rate Note), on giving not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice to the Noteholders (which notice shall be irrevocable), if:

(i) on the occasion of the next payment due under the Notes, the Issuer has or will become obliged to pay additional amounts as provided or referred to in Condition 6 (Taxation) or (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) the Guarantor would be unable for reasons outside its control to procure payment by the Issuer and in making payment itself would be required to pay such additional amounts, in each case as a result of any change in, or amendment to, the laws or regulations of the Kingdom of Norway or any political subdivision or any authority thereof or therein having power to tax, or any change in the application or official interpretation of such laws or regulations, which change or amendment becomes effective on or after the Issue Date of the first Tranche of the Notes; and
(ii) such obligation cannot be avoided by the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) taking reasonable measures available to it,

provided that no such notice of redemption shall be given earlier than 90 days (or, in the case of Floating Rate Notes, a number of days which is equal to the aggregate of the number of days falling within the then current interest period applicable to the Floating Rate Notes plus 60 days) prior to the earliest date on which the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) would be obliged to pay such additional amounts were a payment in respect of the Notes then due.

Prior to the publication of any notice of redemption pursuant to this Condition 5(b) (Redemption for Tax Reasons), the Issuer shall deliver to the Agent a certificate signed by one director of the Issuer or, as the case may be, one director of the Guarantor (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) stating that the Issuer is entitled to effect such redemption and setting forth a statement of facts showing that the conditions precedent to the right of the Issuer so to redeem have occurred, and an opinion of independent legal advisers of recognised standing to the effect that the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) has or will become obliged to pay such additional amounts as a result of such change or amendment.

Notes redeemed pursuant to this Condition 5(b) (Redemption for Tax Reasons) will be redeemed at their Early Redemption Amount referred to in paragraph (g) below together (if appropriate) with interest accrued to (but excluding) the date of redemption.

(c) Redemption at the Option of the Issuer (Issuer Call)

If Issuer Call is specified as being applicable in the applicable Final Terms, the Issuer shall, having given:

(i) not less than 15 nor more than 30 days' notice to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 12 (Notices); and
(ii) not less than 15 days before the giving of the notice referred to in (i), notice to the Agent;

(which notices shall be irrevocable), redeem all or, if so specified in the applicable Final Terms, some only of the Notes then outstanding on any Optional Redemption Date and at the Optional Redemption Amount(s) specified in, or determined in the manner specified in, the applicable Final Terms together, if appropriate, with interest accrued to (but excluding) the relevant Optional Redemption Date. Any such redemption must be of a nominal amount not less than the Minimum Redemption Amount and not more than a Higher Redemption Amount in each case as may be specified in the applicable Final Terms. In the case of a partial redemption of Notes, the Notes to be redeemed (Redeemed Notes) will be selected individually by lot, in the case of Redeemed Notes represented by definitive Notes, and in accordance with the rules of Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg, (to be reflected in the records of Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg as either a pool factor or a reduction in nominal amount, at their discretion) in the case of Redeemed Notes represented by a global Note, not more than 30 days prior to the date fixed for redemption (such date of selection being hereinafter called the Selection Date). In the case of Redeemed Notes represented by definitive Notes, a list of the serial numbers of such Redeemed Notes will be published in accordance with Condition 12 (Notices) not less than 15 days prior to the date fixed for redemption. No exchange of the relevant global Note will be permitted during the period from (and including) the Selection Date to (and including) the date fixed for redemption pursuant to this paragraph (c) and notice to that effect shall be given by the Issuer to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 12 (Notices) at least 15 days prior to the Selection Date.

(d) Make-Whole Redemption

If Make-Whole Redemption is specified as being applicable in the applicable Final Terms, the Issuer may, having given not less than 15 nor more than 60 days' notice (or such other notice period as may be specified in the applicable Final Terms) to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 12 (Notices) (which notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the date fixed for redemption (the Make-Whole Redemption Date)), redeem all or (if redemption in part is specified as being applicable in the applicable Final Terms) some only of the Notes then outstanding on any Make-Whole Redemption Date and at the Make-Whole Redemption Amount together, if appropriate, with interest accrued to (but excluding) the relevant Make-Whole Redemption Date. If redemption in part is specified as being applicable in the applicable Final Terms, any such redemption must be of a nominal amount not less than the Minimum Redemption Amount and not more than the Maximum Redemption Amount in each case as may be specified in the applicable Final Terms.

In the case of a partial redemption of Notes, the Redeemed Notes will be selected individually by lot, in the case of Redeemed Notes represented by definitive Notes, and in accordance with the rules of Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg (to be reflected in the records of Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg as either a pool factor or a reduction in nominal amount, at their discretion), in the case of Redeemed Notes represented by a Global Note, on a Selection Date not more than 30 days prior to the Make-Whole Redemption Date. In the case of Redeemed Notes represented by definitive Notes, a list of the serial numbers of such Redeemed Notes will be published in accordance with Condition 12 (Notices) not less than 15 days prior to the Make-Whole Redemption Date. No exchange of the relevant Global Note will be permitted during the period from (and including) the Selection Date to (and including) the Make-Whole Redemption Date pursuant to this paragraph (d) and notice to that effect shall be given by the Issuer to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 12 (Notices) at least 15 days prior to the Selection Date.

In this Condition 5(d) (Make-Whole Redemption), Make-Whole Redemption Amount means (A) the outstanding principal amount of the relevant Note or (B) if higher, the sum, as determined by the Make-Whole Calculation Agent, of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Notes to be redeemed (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued to the date of redemption) discounted to the Make-Whole Redemption Date on an annual basis at the Reference Rate plus the Make-Whole Redemption Margin specified in the applicable Final Terms, where:

CA Selected Bond means a government security or securities (which, if the Specified Currency is euro, will be a German Bundesobligationen) selected by the Make-Whole Calculation Agent as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the Notes to be redeemed that would be utilised, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of such Notes;

Make-Whole Calculation Agent means an independent investment, merchant or commercial bank or financial institution selected by the Issuer for the purposes of calculating the Make-Whole Redemption Amount, and notified to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 12 (Notices);

Reference Bond means (A) if CA Selected Bond is specified in the applicable Final Terms, the relevant CA Selected Bond or (B) if CA Selected Bond is not specified in the applicable Final Terms, the security specified in the applicable Final Terms, provided that if the Make-Whole Calculation Agent advises the Issuer that, for reasons of illiquidity or otherwise, the relevant security specified is not appropriate for such purpose, such other central bank or government security as the Make-Whole Calculation Agent may, with the advice of Reference Market Makers, determine to be appropriate;

Reference Bond Price means (i) the average of three Reference Market Maker Quotations for the relevant Make-Whole Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and lowest Reference Market Maker Quotations, (ii) if the Make-Whole Calculation Agent obtains fewer than three, but more than one, such Reference Market Maker Quotations, the average of all such quotations, or (iii) if only one such Reference Market Maker Quotation is obtained, the amount of the Reference Market Maker Quotation so obtained;

Reference Market Maker Quotations means, with respect to each Reference Market Maker and any Make-Whole Redemption Date, the average, as determined by the Make-Whole Calculation Agent, of the bid and asked prices for the Reference Bond (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Make-Whole Calculation Agent at the Quotation Time specified in the applicable Final Terms on the Reference Rate Determination Day specified in the applicable Final Terms;

Reference Market Makers means three brokers or market makers of securities such as the Reference Bond selected by the Make-Whole Calculation Agent or such other three persons operating in the market for securities such as the Reference Bond as are selected by the Make-Whole Calculation Agent in consultation with the Issuer; and

Reference Rate means, with respect to any Make-Whole Redemption Date, the rate per annum equal to the equivalent yield to maturity of the Reference Bond, calculated using a price for the Reference Bond (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Reference Bond Price for such Make-Whole Redemption Date. The Reference Rate will be calculated on the Reference Rate Determination Day specified in the applicable Final Terms.

(e) Issuer Residual Call

If Issuer Residual Call is specified as being applicable in the applicable Final Terms and, at any time, the outstanding aggregate nominal amount of the Notes is 20 per cent. or less of the aggregate nominal amount of the Series issued, the Notes may be redeemed at the option of the Issuer in whole, but not in part, at any time (if this Note is not a Floating Rate Note) or on any Interest Payment Date (if this Note is a Floating Rate Note), on giving not less than 15 and not more than 60 days' notice (or such other notice period as may be specified in the applicable Final Terms) to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 12 (Notices) (which notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the date fixed for redemption) at the Residual Call Early Redemption Amount together, if appropriate, with interest accrued to (but excluding) the date of redemption.

(f) Redemption at the Option of the Noteholders (Investor Put)

If Investor Put is specified as being applicable in the applicable Final Terms, upon the holder of any Note giving to the Issuer in accordance with Condition 12 (Notices) not less than 15 nor more than 30 days' notice the Issuer will, upon the expiry of such notice, redeem, in whole (but not in part), such Note on the Optional Redemption Date and at the Optional Redemption Amount specified in the applicable Final Terms together, if appropriate, with interest accrued to (but excluding) the Optional Redemption Date.

If this Note is in definitive form and held outside Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg, to exercise the right to require redemption of this Note the holder of this Note must deliver such Note at the specified office of any Paying Agent at any time during normal business hours of such Paying Agent falling within the notice period, accompanied by a duly completed and signed notice of exercise in the form (for the time being current) obtainable from any specified office of any Paying Agent (a Put Notice) and in which the holder must specify a bank account (or, if payment is by cheque, an address) to which payment is to be made under this Condition accompanied by this Note or evidence satisfactory to the Paying Agent concerned that this Note will, following delivery of the Put Notice, be held to its order or under its control. If this Note is represented by a global Note or is in definitive form and held through Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg, to exercise the right to require redemption of this Note the holder of this Note must, within the notice period, give notice to the Agent of such exercise in accordance with the standard procedures of Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg (which may include notice being given on his instruction by Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg or any common depositary or common safekeeper, as the case may be, for them to the Agent by electronic means) in a form acceptable to Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg from time to time.

Any Put Notice or other notice given in accordance with the standard procedures of Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg given by a holder of any Note pursuant to this paragraph shall be irrevocable except where prior to the due date of redemption an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing in which event such holder, at its option, may elect by notice to the Issuer to withdraw the notice given pursuant to this paragraph and instead to declare such Note forthwith due and payable pursuant to Condition 8 (Events of Default).

(g) Early Redemption Amounts

For the purpose of paragraph (b) above and Condition 8 (Events of Default), the Notes will be redeemed at the Early Redemption Amount calculated as follows:

(i) in the case of Notes with a Final Redemption Amount equal to the Issue Price, at the Final Redemption Amount thereof;
(ii) in the case of Notes (other than Zero Coupon Notes) with a Final Redemption Amount which is or may be less or greater than the Issue Price or which is payable in a Specified Currency other than that in which the Notes are denominated, at the amount specified in, or determined in the manner specified in, the applicable Final Terms or, if no such amount or manner is so specified in the Final Terms, at their nominal amount; or
(iii) in the case of Zero Coupon Notes, at its Early Redemption Amount calculated in accordance with the following formula:

Early Redemption Amount = RP x (1 + AY)^y

where:

RP means the Reference Price;

AY means the Accrual Yield expressed as a decimal; and

y is the Day Count Fraction specified in the applicable Final Terms which will be either (i) 30/360 (in which case the numerator will be equal to the number of days (calculated on the basis of a 360 day year consisting of 12 months of 30 days each) from (and including) the Issue Date of the first Tranche of the Notes to (but excluding) the date fixed for redemption or (as the case may be) the date upon which such Note becomes due and repayable and the denominator will be 360 (ii) Actual/360 (in which case the numerator will be equal to the actual number of days from (and including) the Issue Date of the first Tranche of the Notes to (but excluding) the date fixed for redemption or (as the case may be) the date upon which such Note becomes due and repayable and the denominator will be 360) or (iii) Actual/365 (in which case the numerator will be equal to the actual number of days from (and including) the Issue Date of the first Tranche of the Notes to (but excluding) the date fixed for redemption or (as the case may be) the date upon which such Note becomes due and repayable and the denominator will be 365).

(h) Purchases

The Issuer or the Guarantor (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) may at any time purchase Notes (provided that, in the case of definitive

Notes, all unmatured Coupons and Talons appertaining thereto are purchased therewith) at any price in the open market or otherwise. Such Notes may be held, reissued, resold or, at the option of the Issuer or the Guarantor (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee), surrendered to any Paying Agent for cancellation.

(i) Cancellation

All Notes which are redeemed will forthwith be cancelled (together with all unmatured Coupons attached thereto or surrendered therewith at the time of redemption). All Notes so cancelled and the Notes purchased and cancelled pursuant to paragraph (g) above (together with all unmatured Coupons cancelled therewith) shall be forwarded to the Agent and cannot be reissued or resold.

(j) Late payment on Zero Coupon Notes

If the amount payable in respect of any Zero Coupon Note upon redemption of such Zero Coupon Note pursuant to paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) above or upon its becoming due and repayable as provided in Condition 8 (Events of Default) is improperly withheld or refused, the amount due and repayable in respect of such Zero Coupon Note shall be the amount calculated as provided in paragraph (g)(iii) above as though the references therein to the date fixed for the redemption or the date upon which such Zero Coupon Note becomes due and payable were replaced by references to the date which is the earlier of:

(i) the date on which all amounts due in respect of such Zero Coupon Note have been paid; and
(ii) five days after the date on which the full amount of the moneys payable has been received by the Agent and notice to that effect has been given to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 12 (Notices).

6. Taxation

All payments of principal and interest in respect of the Notes and Coupons by the Issuer or (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) the Guarantor shall be made free and clear of, and without withholding or deduction for, any taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges of whatever nature imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by or within the Kingdom of Norway or any authority therein or thereof having power to tax, unless such withholding or deduction is required by law. In such event, the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) shall pay such additional amounts as will result in receipt by the holders of the Notes or Coupons of such amounts as would have been received by them had no such withholding or deduction been required, except that no such additional amounts shall be payable with respect to any Note or Coupon:

(a) presented for payment in the Kingdom of Norway; or
(b) the holder or beneficial owner of which is liable for such taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges in respect of such Note or Coupon by reason of his having some connection with the Kingdom of Norway other than the mere holding of such Note or Coupon; or

(c) presented for payment more than 30 days after the Relevant Date except to the extent that the holder thereof would have been entitled to such additional amounts on presenting the same for payment on such thirtieth day.

In addition, any amounts to be paid on the Notes will be paid net of any deduction or withholding imposed or required pursuant to sections 1471 through 1474 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or any regulations thereunder or official interpretations thereof) (FATCA) or any intergovernmental agreement with the United States to implement FATCA (IGA) (or any law implementing such an intergovernmental agreement), and no additional amounts will be required to be paid on account of any such deduction or withholding.

Relevant Date means whichever is the later of (i) the date on which such payment first becomes due and (ii) if the full amount payable has not been received by the Agent on or prior to such due date, the date on which, the full amount having been so received, notice to that effect is duly given to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 12 (Notices).

7. Prescription

The Notes and Coupons will become void unless claims in respect of principal and/or interest are made within a period of 10 years (in the case of principal) and five years (in the case of interest) after the Relevant Date therefor.

There shall not be included in any Coupon sheet issued on exchange of a Talon any Coupon the claim for payment in respect of which would be void pursuant to this Condition 7 (Prescription) or Condition 4(b) (Presentation of definitive Notes and Coupons) or any Talon which would be void pursuant to Condition 4(b) (Presentation of definitive Notes and Coupons).

8. Events of Default

If any one or more of the following events (each an Event of Default) shall occur and is continuing:

(a) the Issuer or (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) the Guarantor fails to pay any principal or interest on any of the Notes when due and such failure continues, in the case of principal or interest, for a period of 30 days; or
(b) the Issuer or (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) the Guarantor does not perform or comply with any one or more of its other obligations in the Notes which default is incapable of remedy or is not remedied within 90 days after notice of such default shall have been given to the Agent at its specified office by any Noteholder; or
(c) the Issuer or (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) the Guarantor is (or is, or could be, deemed by law or a court to be) insolvent or bankrupt or unable to pay its debts, stops, suspends or threatens to stop or suspend payment of all or a material part of (or of a particular type of) its debts, proposes or makes a general assignment or an arrangement or composition with or for the benefit of the relevant creditors in respect of any of such debts or a moratorium is agreed or declared in respect of or affecting all

or any part of (or of a particular type of) the debts of the Issuer or (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) the Guarantor; or

(d) (A) an order is made or an effective resolution passed for the winding-up or dissolution of the Issuer or (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) the Guarantor, or (B) the Issuer or (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) the Guarantor ceases or threatens to cease to carry on all or substantially all of its business or operations, except:
- (i) (in the case of sub-paragraph (B)) in the case of an Asset Transfer;
- (ii) in the case of a Permitted Reorganisation; or
- (iii) for the purpose of and followed by any other reconstruction, amalgamation, reorganisation, merger or consolidation, on terms approved by an Extraordinary Resolution of the Noteholders; or
(e) other than in respect of the termination of the Guarantee pursuant to Condition 2(c) (Termination of Guarantee), if the Guarantee ceases to be, or is claimed by the Issuer or the Guarantor not to be, in full force and effect; or
(f) any event occurs which under the laws of any relevant jurisdiction has an analogous effect to any of the events referred to in (c) to (e) above,

then any Note may, by notice given in writing to the Agent at its specified office by the holder be declared immediately due and payable whereupon it shall become immediately due and payable at the Early Redemption Amount (as described in Condition 5(g) (Early Redemption Amounts)), together with accrued interest (if any) to the date of repayment, without further formality unless such Event of Default shall have been remedied prior to the receipt of such notice by the Agent.

As used herein:

Asset Transfer means, at any particular time, any transfer or transfers by the Issuer or (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) the Guarantor of all or substantially all of its and its Subsidiaries' business or operations, taken as a whole, to one or more direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiaries and/or, in the case of the Guarantor, to the Issuer;

Permitted Reorganisation means any (i) consolidation by the Issuer or (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) the Guarantor with, or merger of the Issuer or (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) the Guarantor into, another person, or (ii) conveyance, transfer or lease by the Issuer or (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) the Guarantor of all or substantially all of its and its Subsidiaries' properties and assets, taken as a whole, to any person, in each case where:

(a) the person formed by such consolidation into which the Issuer or the Guarantor, as the case may be, is merged or the person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries or the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries, in each case taken as a whole, (such person, the Successor) shall be a corporation, partnership or trust, shall be organised and validly existing under the laws of any jurisdiction and shall expressly assume, by way of a deed of assumption governed by English law (the Deed of Assumption), all obligations of the Issuer and/or the Guarantor, as applicable, under the Notes and/or the Guarantee, as applicable; and

(b) the Issuer or the Guarantor, as the case may be, has delivered to the Agent (1) a certificate signed by one director of the Issuer or, as the case may be, one director of the Guarantor (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease comply with the requirements of this definition and that all conditions precedent provided for in this definition relating to such transaction have been complied with, and (2) legal opinions from (A) a leading firm of lawyers to the Successor in the country of incorporation of the Successor, and (B) a leading firm of lawyers to the Successor in England, in each case to the effect that, as a matter of the relevant law, the Deed of Assumption constitutes legal, valid and binding obligations of the Successor and is enforceable in accordance with its terms, such opinions to be available for inspection by Noteholders and Couponholders at the specified offices of the Agent; and

Subsidiary means, at any particular time, a company of which the Issuer or (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) the Guarantor directly or indirectly owns or controls at least a majority of the outstanding voting stock having power to elect directors of such company.

9. Replacement of Notes, Coupons and Talons

Should any Note, Coupon or Talon be lost, stolen, mutilated, defaced or destroyed, it may be replaced at the specified office of the Agent or any Replacement Agent upon payment by the claimant of such costs and expenses as may be incurred in connection therewith and on such terms as to evidence and indemnity as the Issuer may reasonably require. Mutilated or defaced Notes, Coupons or Talons must be surrendered before replacements will be issued.

10. Agent and Paying Agents

The names of the initial Agent and the other initial Paying Agents and their initial specified offices are set out below.

The Issuer and the Guarantor (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) is entitled to vary or terminate the appointment of any Paying Agent and/or appoint additional or other Paying Agents and/or approve any change in the specified office through which any Paying Agent acts, provided that:

(i) so long as the Notes are listed on any stock exchange, there will at all times be a Paying Agent with a specified office in such place as may be required by the rules and regulations of the relevant stock exchange or other relevant authority;
(ii) there will at all times be a Paying Agent with a specified office outside Norway; and
(iii) there will at all times be an Agent.

In addition, the Issuer and the Guarantor (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) shall forthwith appoint a Paying Agent having a specified office in New York City in the circumstances described in the final paragraph of Condition 4(d) (General provisions applicable to payments). Notice of any variation, termination, appointment or change in Paying Agents will be given to the Noteholders promptly by the issuer in accordance with Condition 12 (Notices).

11. Exchange of Talons

On and after the Interest Payment Date, on which the final Coupon comprised in any Coupon sheet matures, the Talon (if any) forming part of such Coupon sheet may be surrendered at the specified office of the Agent or any other Paying Agent in exchange for a further Coupon sheet including (if such further Coupon sheet does not include Coupons to (and including) the final date for the payment of interest due in respect of the Note to which it appertains) a further Talon, subject to the provisions of Condition 7 (Prescription).

12. Notices

All notices regarding the Notes shall be published in a leading English language daily newspaper of general circulation in London. It is expected that such publication will be made in the Financial Times or any other daily newspaper in London. The Issuer shall also ensure that notices are duly published in a manner which complies with the rules and regulations of any stock exchange or other relevant authority on which the Notes are for the time being listed or by which they have been admitted to trading including publication on the website of the relevant stock exchange or relevant authority if required by those rules. Any such notice will be deemed to have been given on the date of the first publication or, where required to be published in both newspapers, on the date of the first publication in both such newspapers.

Until such time as any definitive Notes are issued, there may (provided that, in the case of Notes listed on any stock exchange or admitted to trading by another relevant authority, such stock exchange or relevant authority permits), so long as the global Note(s) is or are held in its/their entirety on behalf of Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg, be substituted for such publication in such newspaper(s) or such website the delivery of the relevant notice to Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg for communication by them to the holders of the Notes. Any such notice shall be deemed to have been given to the holders of the Notes on the second day after the day on which the said notice was given to Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg.

Notices to be given by any holder of the Notes shall be in writing and given by lodging the same, together (in the case of any Note in definitive form) with the relative Note or Notes, with the Agent. Whilst any of the Notes are represented by a global Note, such notice may be given by any holder of a Note to the Agent via Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg, as the case may be, in such manner as the Agent and Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg, as the case may be, may approve for this purpose.

13. Meetings of Noteholders, Modification and Waiver

The Agency Agreement contains provisions for convening meetings of Noteholders to consider matters affecting their interests, including the sanctioning by Extraordinary Resolution of a modification of any of these Conditions. Such a meeting may be convened by Noteholders holding not less than 10 per cent. in nominal principal amount of the Notes for the time being outstanding. The quorum for any meeting convened to consider an Extraordinary Resolution will be two or more persons holding or representing a clear majority in nominal amount of the Notes for the time being outstanding, or at any adjourned meeting one or more persons being or representing Noteholders whatever the nominal amount of the Notes held or represented, unless the business of such meeting includes consideration of proposals, inter alia, (i) to modify the maturity of the Notes or the dates on which interest is payable in respect of the Notes, (ii) to reduce or cancel the principal amount of interest on the Notes, (iii) to change the currency of payment of the Notes or the Coupons, (iv) to modify the provisions concerning the quorum required at any meeting of Noteholders or the majority required to pass an Extraordinary Resolution, or (v) to modify or cancel the obligations of the Guarantor under the Guarantee, in which case the necessary quorum will be two or more persons holding or representing not less than 75 per cent, or at any adjourned meeting not less than 25 per cent, in principal amount of the Notes for the time being outstanding. Any Extraordinary Resolution duly passed shall be binding on Noteholders (whether or not they were present at the meeting at which such resolution was passed) and on all Couponholders.

The Agent, the Issuer and (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) the Guarantor may agree, without the consent of the Noteholders or Couponholders, to:

(i) any modification (except as mentioned above) of the Agency Agreement which is, in the sole opinion of the Issuer and (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) the Guarantor, not prejudicial to the interests of the Noteholders; or
(ii) any modification of the Notes, the Coupons or the Agency Agreement which is, in the sole opinion of the Issuer and (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) the Guarantor, of a formal, minor or technical nature or is made to correct a manifest error or to comply with mandatory provisions of the law of the jurisdiction in which the Issuer is incorporated.

Any such modification shall be binding on the Noteholders and the Couponholders and any such modification shall be notified to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 12 (Notices) as soon as practicable thereafter.

In addition, the Agent shall be obliged to use its reasonable endeavours to effect any Benchmark Amendments in the circumstances and as otherwise set out in Condition 3(b)(viii) (Benchmark Discontinuation) above, without the consent of the Noteholders or the Couponholders.

14. Substitution

The Issuer, or any previously substituted company, may at any time, without the consent of the Noteholders or the Couponholders, substitute for itself as principal debtor under the Notes and the Coupons a company (the Substitute) as principal debtor under the Notes or Coupons in the manner specified in Schedule 6 to the Agency Agreement, provided that no payment in respect of the Notes or the Coupons is at the relevant time overdue. The substitution shall be made by a deed poll (the Deed Poll), to be substantially in the form exhibited to the Agency Agreement, and may take place only if:

(i) the obligations of the Substitute under the Deed Poll, the Notes and the Coupons shall be unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by Equinor ASA (in such capacity, the New Guarantor and such guarantee, the New Guarantee) and (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) the Guarantor, by means of the Deed Poll;
(ii) all action, conditions and things required to be taken, fulfilled and done (including the obtaining of any necessary consents) to ensure that the Deed Poll, the Notes and Coupons represent valid, legally binding and enforceable obligations of the Substitute and in the case of the Deed Poll of the New Guarantor and (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) the Guarantor have been taken, fulfilled and done and are in full force and effect;
(iii) the Substitute shall have become party to the Agency Agreement, with any appropriate consequential amendments, as if it had been an original party to it;
(iv) each stock exchange or listing authority which has the Notes listed on such stock exchange shall have confirmed that following the proposed substitution of the Substitute the Notes would continue to be listed on such stock exchange;
(v) legal opinions addressed to the Noteholders shall have been delivered to them (care of the Agent) from a lawyer or firm of lawyers with a leading securities practice in (i) the Kingdom of Norway and, if applicable, any Substitute Jurisdiction (as defined in the final paragraph of this Condition 14 (Substitution)) and (ii) England, in each case as to the fulfilment of the preceding conditions of this Condition 14 (Substitution) and the other matters specified in the Deed Poll; and
(vi) the Issuer shall have given at least 14 days' prior notice of such substitution to the Noteholders, stating that copies, or, pending execution, the agreed text, of all documents in relation to the substitution which are referred to above, or which might otherwise reasonably be regarded as material to Noteholders, will be available for inspection at the specified office of each of the Paying Agents. References in Condition 8 (Events of Default) to obligations under the Notes shall be deemed to include obligations under the Deed Poll, and the events listed in Condition 8 (Events of Default) shall be deemed to include the New Guarantee not being (or being claimed by the New Guarantor not to be) in full force and effect and the provisions of Condition 8(c) to 8(e) (Events of Default) inclusive (other than the words "other than in respect of the termination of the Guarantee pursuant to Condition 2(c) (Termination of Guarantee)" in Condition 8(e)) shall be deemed to apply in addition to the New Guarantor.

In connection with any proposed substitution pursuant to this Condition 14 (Substitution), the Issuer (or previously substituted company, as the case may be) or Substitute shall not be required to have regard to, or be in any way liable for, the consequences of such substitution for individual Noteholders or the Couponholders resulting from their being for any purpose domiciled or resident in, or otherwise connected with, or subject to the jurisdiction of, any particular territory. No Noteholder or Couponholder shall, in connection with any such substitution, be entitled to claim from the Issuer (or previously substituted company, as the case may be) or Substitute any indemnification or payment in respect of any tax consequence of any such substitution upon such individual Noteholders or Couponholders, except to the extent already provided in Condition 6 (Taxation) as modified in accordance with the following paragraph.

Where a substitution takes place pursuant to this Condition 14 (Substitution) and the Substitute is subject, by reason of its incorporation or residence for tax purposes, to a jurisdiction or any political subdivision or any authority thereof or therein having power to tax (the Substitute Jurisdiction) other than the Kingdom of Norway (or, as the case may be, the jurisdiction of incorporation or residence for tax purposes of the preceding substituted company) or any political subdivision or any authority thereof or therein having power to tax (the Previous Jurisdiction), references to the Previous Jurisdiction in Condition 5(b) (Redemption for Tax Reasons) and Condition 6 (Taxation) shall, in respect of any payments to be made by the Substitute (but not in respect of payments to be made by (A) the New Guarantor under the New Guarantee or (B) (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) the Guarantor), be deemed to be replaced by references to the Substitute Jurisdiction, and Conditions 5(b) (Redemption for Tax Reasons) and 6 (Taxation) shall be deemed to be modified accordingly when the substitution takes place.

15. Further Issues

The Issuer shall be at liberty from time to time without the consent of the Noteholders or Couponholders to create and issue further notes having terms and conditions the same as the Notes or the same in all respects save for the amount and date of the first payment of interest thereon and so that the same shall be consolidated and form a single Series with the outstanding Notes.

16. Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999

A person who is not a Noteholder has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 (the Act) to enforce any term of the Notes, but this does not affect any right or remedy of a third party which exists or is available apart from the Act.

17. Governing Law and Submission to Jurisdiction

(a) The Agency Agreement, the Guarantee, the Notes and the Coupons and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with the Agency Agreement, the Guarantee, the Notes and the Coupons are governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, English law.
(b) Subject to paragraph (c) below, the courts of England are to have jurisdiction to settle any disputes (including a dispute relating to any non-contractual obligations) which may arise out of or in connection with the Guarantee, the Notes or the Coupons and accordingly any legal action or proceedings arising out of or in connection with the Guarantee, the Notes or the Coupons (Proceedings) may be brought in such courts. Each of the Issuer and the Guarantor irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of such courts and waives any objection to Proceedings in any such courts whether on the ground of venue or on the ground that the Proceedings have been brought in an inconvenient forum.
(c) This paragraph (c) is for the benefit of each of the Noteholders and Couponholders only. To the extent permitted by applicable law, each of the Noteholders and Couponholders may take Proceedings against the Issuer

and/or the Guarantor in any other court of competent jurisdiction and concurrent Proceedings in any number of jurisdictions.

(d) Each of the Issuer and the Guarantor irrevocably appoints Equinor UK Limited at its registered office in England for the time being at One Kingdom Street, Paddington Central, London W2 6BD to receive service of process in any Proceedings in England based on any of the Notes or Coupons. If for any reason the Issuer or Guarantor does not have such an agent in England, it will promptly appoint a substitute process agent and notify the Noteholders of such appointment. Nothing herein shall affect the right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE VPS NOTES

The following are the Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes. VPS Notes will not be evidenced by any physical note or document of title other than a statement of account made by the VPS. Ownership of VPS Notes will be recorded and transfer effected only through the book entry system and register maintained by the VPS. Reference should be made to "Form of Final Terms" above for a description of the content of Final Terms which will include certain terms used in the following Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes or specify which of such terms are to apply in relation to the relevant VPS Notes.

This VPS Note is one of a Series (as defined below) of VPS Notes issued by Equinor ASA (the Issuer) and each VPS Note will be issued in accordance with and subject to the trust agreement (such trust agreement as modified and/or supplemented and/or restated from time to time, the VPS Trustee Agreement) dated 5 February 2016 (as amended) made between the Issuer and Nordic Trustee AS (the VPS Trustee, which expression shall include any successor as VPS Trustee). Nordic Trustee AS will also act as calculation agent in respect of VPS Notes (the Calculation Agent, which expression shall include any successor or alternative Calculation Agent that may be appointed and/or as may be specified in the applicable Final Terms).

References herein to the VPS Notes shall be references to the VPS Notes of this Series and shall mean notes registered in accordance with section 3-1 of the Norwegian Central Securities Depositary Act of 15 March 2019 no. 6 in a securities depository approved or acknowledged under the EU central securities depositories (CSD) regulation (Regulation (EU) No 909/2014 of 23 July 2014 on improving securities settlement in the European Union and on central securities depositories and amending Directives 98/26/EC and 2014/65/EU and Regulation (EU) No 236/2012) which, unless otherwise specified in the applicable Final Terms, will be the Norwegian Central Securities Depositary, Verdipapirsentralen ASA (the VPS), and references herein to the VPS shall (unless the context otherwise requires) include reference to any such other securities depository.

The VPS Notes also have the benefit of an agency agreement (such agency agreement, as amended and/or modified and/or restated and/or supplemented from time to time, the VPS Agency Agreement) dated 12 September 2013 and made among the Issuer and DNB Bank ASA as VPS Agent (the VPS Agent, which expression shall include any successor VPS Agent).

If so indicated in the applicable Final Terms, the VPS Notes will (subject to Condition 2(c) (Termination of Guarantee)) have the benefit of the deed of guarantee executed by Equinor Energy AS (the Guarantor) (such deed as modified and/or restated and/or supplemented from time to time, the Guarantee) dated 13 May 2020.

The final terms for this VPS Note (or the relevant provisions thereof) are set out in Part A of the Final Terms prepared in connection with this VPS Note and complete these Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes (the VPS Conditions). References to the applicable Final Terms are to Part A of the Final Terms (or the relevant provisions thereof) prepared in connection with this VPS Note.

The VPS Trustee acts for the benefit of the holders for the time being of the VPS Notes (the VPS Noteholders or the holders of VPS Notes), in accordance with the provisions of the VPS Trustee Agreement and these VPS Conditions.

Each Tranche of VPS Notes will be created and held in uncertificated book entry form in accounts with the VPS. The VPS Agent will act as agent of the Issuer in respect of all dealings with the VPS in respect of VPS Notes as detailed in the VPS Agency Agreement.

As used herein, Tranche means all VPS Notes with the same Issue Date and which are subject to the same Final Terms and Series means a Tranche of VPS Notes together with any further Tranche or Tranches of VPS Notes which are (i) expressed to be consolidated and form a single series and (ii) identical in all respects (including as to listing and admission to trading) except for their respective Issue Dates, Interest Commencement Dates and/or Issue Prices. For the avoidance of doubt, a Tranche that comprises VPS Notes may not also comprise Notes in bearer form or Notes in registered form, though it may comprise Notes of different denominations.

Copies of the VPS Agency Agreement and the VPS Trustee Agreement are available for inspection during normal business hours at the specified office of the VPS Agent and at the registered office for the time being of the VPS Trustee at the date hereof at Kronprinsesse Märthas plass 1, N-0160 Oslo, Norway. If the VPS Notes are to be admitted to trading on the regulated market of the Oslo Børs the applicable Final Terms will be published on the website of the Oslo Børs (www.oslobors.no).

The VPS Noteholders are deemed to have notice of, and are entitled to the benefit of, all the provisions of the VPS Agency Agreement, the VPS Trustee Agreement and the applicable Final Terms which are applicable to them.

Words and expressions defined in the VPS Agency Agreement, the VPS Trustee Agreement or used in the applicable Final Terms shall have the same meanings where used in these VPS Conditions unless the context otherwise requires or unless otherwise stated and provided that, in the event of inconsistency between the VPS Trustee Agreement and the VPS Agency Agreement, the VPS Trustee Agreement will prevail, and in the event of inconsistency between the VPS Trustee Agreement or the VPS Agency Agreement and the applicable Final Terms, the applicable Final Terms will prevail.

1. Form, Denomination and Title

The VPS Notes are in uncertificated book-entry form in the currency (the Specified Currency) and the denominations (the Specified Denomination(s)) specified in the applicable Final Terms. VPS Notes of one Specified Denomination may not be exchanged for VPS Notes of another Specified Denomination. VPS Notes will be registered with a separate securities identification code in the VPS.

This VPS Note may be a Fixed Rate Note, a Floating Rate Note, a Zero Coupon Note or a combination of any of the foregoing, depending upon the Interest Basis shown in the applicable Final Terms.

The holder of a VPS Note will be the person evidenced as such by a book entry in the records of the VPS. The Issuer and the VPS Trustee may rely on a certificate of the VPS or one issued on behalf of the VPS by an account-carrying institution as to a particular person being a VPS Noteholder.

Title to the VPS Notes will pass by registration in the VPS between the direct or indirect accountholders at the VPS in accordance with the Norwegian Securities Register Act of 5 July 2002 no. 64 (as amended or replaced from time to time) and the rules and procedures of the VPS that are in force from time to time. Where a nominee is so evidenced, it shall be treated by the Issuer as the holder of the relevant VPS Note. Each person who is for the time being shown in the records of the VPS as the holder of a particular nominal amount of VPS Notes shall be treated by the Issuer, the VPS Trustee and the VPS Agent as the holder of such nominal amount of such VPS Notes for all purposes.

VPS Notes will be transferable only in accordance with the Norwegian Securities Register Act of 5 July 2002 no. 64 (as amended or replaced from time to time) and the rules and procedures for the time being of the VPS. The registration of VPS Notes in the VPS as well as the recording and transfer of ownership to, and other interests in, VPS Notes will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, Norwegian law.

2. Status of the VPS Notes and the Guarantee

(a) Status of the VPS Notes

The VPS Notes constitute unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the Issuer and shall at all times rank pari passu and without any preference among themselves. The payment obligations of the Issuer under the VPS Notes shall, save for such exceptions as may be provided by applicable legislation, at all times rank at least equally with all its other present and future unsecured and unsubordinated obligations.

(b) Status of Guarantee

(c) Termination of Guarantee

(i) The Guarantee shall automatically and unconditionally be terminated on the Guarantee Termination Date. As soon as reasonably practicable after such termination (and by no later than 15 Business Days (as defined in Condition 3(b)(i) (Interest Payment Dates)) after the Guarantee Termination Date), the Guarantor or the Issuer shall provide notice of such termination to the VPS Trustee, the VPS Agent and, in accordance with Condition 9 (Notices), the VPS Noteholders.

For the purposes of this Condition 2(c)(i):

the amount of the Guarantor's indebtedness for borrowed money shall not include (A) any VPS Notes subject to this Condition 2(c) (Termination of Guarantee), (B) any other debt the terms of which permit the termination of the Guarantor's guarantee of such debt under similar circumstances, as long as the Guarantor's obligations in respect of such other debt are terminated at substantially the same time as the Guarantee, and (C) any debt that is being refinanced at substantially the same time that the Guarantee of the VPS Notes is being terminated, provided that any obligations of the Guarantor in respect of the debt that is incurred in the refinancing shall be included in the calculation of the Guarantor's indebtedness for borrowed money.

(ii) For the avoidance of doubt, the VPS Notes may not be declared due and payable pursuant to Condition 8(e) (Events of Default) as a result of the Guarantee being terminated pursuant to this Condition 2(c) (Termination of Guarantee).

3. Interest

(a) Interest on Fixed Rate Notes

Except as provided in the applicable Final Terms, the amount of interest payable on each Interest Payment Date in respect of the Fixed Interest Period ending on (but excluding) such date will amount to the Fixed Coupon Amount. Payments of interest on any Interest Payment Date will, if so specified in the applicable Final Terms, amount to the Broken Amount(s) so specified.

As used in these VPS Conditions, Fixed Interest Period means the period from (and including) an Interest Payment Date (or the Interest Commencement Date) to (but excluding) the next (or first) Interest Payment Date.

If interest is required to be calculated for a period other than a Fixed Interest Period, such interest shall be calculated by applying the Rate of Interest to each Specified Denomination, multiplying such sum by the applicable Day Count Fraction, and rounding the resultant figure to the nearest sub-unit of the relevant Specified Currency, half of any such sub-unit being rounded upwards or otherwise in accordance with applicable market convention.

In these VPS Conditions, Day Count Fraction means, in respect of the calculation of an amount of interest in accordance with this Condition 3(a) (Interest on Fixed Rate Notes):

(i) if "Actual/Actual (ICMA)" is specified in the applicable Final Terms:
- (a) in the case of VPS Notes where the number of days in the relevant period from (and including) the most recent Interest Payment Date (or, if none, the Interest Commencement Date) to (but excluding) the relevant payment date (the Accrual Period) is equal to or shorter than the Determination Period during which the Accrual Period ends, the number of days in such Accrual Period divided by the product of (1) the number of days in such Determination Period and (2) the number of Determination Dates (as specified in the applicable Final Terms) that would occur in one calendar year; or
(b) in the case of VPS Notes where the Accrual Period is longer than the Determination Period during which the Accrual Period ends, the sum of:
- (1) the number of days in such Accrual Period falling in the Determination Period in which the Accrual Period begins divided by the product of (x) the number of days in such Determination Period and (y) the number of Determination Dates (as specified in the applicable Final Terms) that would occur in one calendar year; and
- (2) the number of days in such Accrual Period falling in the next Determination Period divided by the product of (x) the number of days in such Determination Period and (y) the number of Determination Dates that would occur in one calendar year; and
(ii) if "30/360" is specified in the applicable Final Terms, the number of days in the period from (and including) the most recent Interest Payment Date (or, if none, the Interest Commencement Date) to (but excluding) the relevant payment date (such number of days being calculated on the basis of a year of 360 days with 12 30-day months and, in the case of an incomplete month, the actual number of days elapsed) divided by 360.

In these VPS Conditions:

(b) Interest on Floating Rate Notes
- (i) Interest Payment Dates

Each Floating Rate Note bears interest from (and including) the Interest Commencement Date and such interest will be payable in arrear on either:

(A) the Specified Interest Payment Date(s) (each an Interest Payment Date) in each year specified in the applicable Final Terms; or
(B) if no Specified Interest Payment Date(s) is/are specified in the applicable Final Terms, each date (each an "Interest Payment Date") which falls the number of months or other period specified as the Specified Period in the applicable Final Terms after the preceding Interest Payment Date or, in the case of the first Interest Payment Date, after the Interest Commencement Date.

Such interest will be payable in respect of each Interest Period (which expression, shall, in these VPS Conditions, mean the period from (and including) an Interest Payment Date (or the Interest Commencement Date) to (but excluding) the next (or first) Interest Payment Date).

(1) in any case where Specified Periods are specified in accordance with Condition 3(b)(i)(B) above, the Floating Rate Convention, such Interest Payment Date (i) in the case of (x) above, shall be the last day that is a Business Day in the relevant month and the provisions of (B) below shall apply mutatis mutandis or (ii) in the case of (y) above, shall be postponed to the next day which is a Business Day unless it would thereby fall into the next calendar month, in which event (A) such Interest Payment Date shall be brought forward to the immediately preceding Business Day and (B) each subsequent Interest Payment Date shall be the last Business Day in the month which falls in the Specified Period after the preceding applicable Interest Payment Date occurred; or
(2) the Following Business Day Convention, such Interest Payment Date shall be postponed to the next day which is a Business Day; or
(3) the Modified Following Business Day Convention, such Interest Payment Date shall be postponed to the next day which is a Business Day unless it would thereby fall into the next calendar month, in which event such Interest Payment Date shall be brought forward to the immediately preceding Business Day; or
(4) the Preceding Business Day Convention, such Interest Payment Date shall be brought forward to the immediately preceding Business Day.

In this VPS Condition, Business Day means:

(A) a day on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets settle payments and are open for general business (including dealing in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in any Additional Business Centre (other than TARGET2 System) specified in the applicable Final Terms;
(B) if TARGET2 System is specified as an Additional Business Centre in the applicable Final Terms, a day on which the Trans-European Automated Real-Time Gross Settlement Express Transfer (TARGET2) System (the TARGET2 System) is open; and
(C) either (1) in relation to any sum payable in a Specified Currency other than euro, a day on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets settle payments and are open for general business (including dealing in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in the principal financial centre of the country of the relevant Specified

Currency (which if the Specified Currency is New Zealand dollars shall be Auckland) or (2) in relation to any sum payable in euro, a day on which the TARGET2 System is open.

(ii) Rate of Interest

The Rate of Interest payable from time to time in respect of Floating Rate Notes will be determined in the manner specified in the applicable Final Terms.

(A) ISDA Determination for Floating Rate Notes

Where ISDA Determination is specified in the applicable Final Terms as the manner in which the Rate of Interest is to be determined, the Rate of Interest for each Interest Period will be the relevant ISDA Rate plus or minus (as indicated in the applicable Final Terms) the Margin (if any). For the purposes of this sub-paragraph (A), ISDA Rate for an Interest Period means a rate equal to the Floating Rate that would be determined by the Calculation Agent under an interest rate swap transaction if the Calculation Agent were acting as Calculation Agent (as defined in the ISDA Definitions (as defined below)) for that swap transaction under the terms of an agreement incorporating the 2006 ISDA Definitions as amended and updated as at the Issue Date of the first Tranche of the VPS Notes, published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (the ISDA Definitions) and under which:

(1) the Floating Rate Option is as specified in the applicable Final Terms;
(2) the Designated Maturity is a period specified in the applicable Final Terms; and
(3) the relevant Reset Date is the day specified in the applicable Final Terms.

(B) Screen Rate Determination for Floating Rate Notes

Where Screen Rate Determination is specified in the applicable Final Terms as the manner in which the Rate of Interest is to be determined, the Rate of Interest for each Interest Period will, subject to Condition 3(b)(ix) (Benchmark Discontinuation) and subject as provided below, be either:

(1) the offered quotation; or
(2) the arithmetic mean (rounded if necessary to the fifth decimal place, with 0.000005 being rounded upwards) of the offered quotations,

(expressed as a percentage rate per annum) for the Reference Rate (being either LIBOR or EURIBOR or NIBOR or STIBOR, in each case for the relevant currency and/or period, all as specified in the applicable Final Terms) which appears or appear, as the case may be, on the Relevant Screen Page (or such replacement page on that service which displays the information) as at the Specified Time on the Interest Determination Date in question plus or minus (as indicated in the applicable Final Terms) the Margin (if any), all as determined by the Calculation Agent. If five or more of such offered quotations are available on the Relevant Screen Page, the highest (or, if there is more than one such highest quotation, one only of such quotations) and the lowest (or, if there is more than one such lowest quotation, one only of such quotations) shall be disregarded by the Calculation Agent for the purpose of determining the arithmetic mean (rounded as provided above) of such offered quotations.

If, other than in the circumstances described in Condition 3(b)(ix) (Benchmark Discontinuation) below, the Relevant Screen Page is not available or if, in the case of Condition 3(b)(ii)(B)(1), no such offered quotation appears or, in the case of Condition 3(b)(ii)(B)(2), fewer than three such offered quotations appear, in each case as at the time specified in Condition 3(b)(ii)(B) the Calculation Agent shall request each of the Reference Banks to provide the Calculation Agent with its offered quotation (expressed as a percentage rate per annum) for the Reference Rate at approximately the Specified Time on the Interest Determination Date in question. If two or more of the Reference Banks provide the Calculation Agent with such offered quotations, the Rate of Interest for such Interest Period shall be the arithmetic mean (rounded if necessary to the fifth decimal place with 0.000005 being rounded upwards) of such offered quotations plus or minus (as appropriate) the Margin (if any), all as determined by the Calculation Agent.

If on any Interest Determination Date one only or none of the Reference Banks provides the Calculation Agent with such offered quotations as provided in the preceding paragraph, the Rate of Interest for the relevant Interest Period shall be the rate per annum which the Calculation Agent determines as being the arithmetic mean (rounded if necessary to the fifth decimal place, with 0.000005 being rounded upwards) of the rates, as communicated to (and at the request of) the Calculation Agent by the Reference Banks or any two or more of them, at which such banks were offered, at approximately the Specified Time on the relevant Interest Determination Date, deposits in the Specified Currency for a period equal to that which would have been used for the Reference Rate by leading banks in the London inter-bank market (if the Reference Rate is LIBOR) or the Eurozone inter-bank market (if the Reference Rate is EURIBOR) or the Norwegian inter-bank market (if the Reference Rate is NIBOR) or the Stockholm interbank market (if the Reference Rate is STIBOR) plus or minus (as appropriate) the Margin (if any) or, if fewer than two of the Reference Banks provide the Calculation Agent with such offered rates, the offered rate for deposits in the Specified Currency for a period equal to that which would have been used for the Reference Rate, or the arithmetic mean (rounded as provided above) of the offered rates for deposits in the Specified Currency for a period equal to that which would have been used for the Reference Rate, at which, at approximately the Specified Time on the relevant Interest Determination Date, any one or more banks (which bank or banks is or are in the opinion of the Issuer suitable for such purpose) informs the Calculation Agent it is quoting to leading banks in the London inter-bank market (if the Reference Rate is LIBOR) or the Euro-zone inter-bank market (if the Reference Rate is EURIBOR) or the Norwegian inter-bank market (if the Reference Rate is NIBOR) or the Stockholm inter-bank market (if the Reference Rate is STIBOR) plus or minus (as appropriate) the Margin (if any), provided that, if the Rate of Interest cannot be determined in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, the Rate of Interest shall be determined as at the last preceding Interest Determination Date (though substituting, where a different Margin is to be applied to the relevant Interest Period from that which applied to the last preceding Interest Period, the Margin relating to the relevant Interest Period, in place of the Margin relating to that last preceding Interest Period).

(iii) Minimum and/or Maximum Rate of Interest

(iv) Determination of Rate of Interest and Calculation of Interest Amounts

The Calculation Agent will at or as soon as practicable after each time at which the Rate of Interest is to be determined, determine the Rate of Interest for the relevant Interest Period.

The VPS will calculate the amount of interest (the Interest Amount) payable on the Floating Rate Notes in respect of each Specified Denomination for the relevant Interest Period by applying the Rate of Interest to each Specified Denomination, multiplying such sum by the applicable Day Count Fraction, and rounding the resultant figure to the nearest sub-unit of the relevant Specified Currency half of any such sub-unit being rounded upwards or otherwise in accordance with applicable market convention.

Day Count Fraction means, in respect of the calculation of an amount of interest in accordance with this Condition 3 (Interest):

(i) if "Actual/Actual (ISDA)" or "Actual/Actual" is specified in the applicable Final Terms, the actual number of days in the Interest Period divided by 365 (or, if any portion of that Interest Period falls in a leap year, the sum of (I) the actual number of days in that portion of the Interest Period falling in a leap year divided by 366 and (II) the actual number of days in that portion of the Interest Period falling in a non-leap year divided by 365);
(ii) if "Actual/365 (Fixed)" is specified in the applicable Final Terms, the actual number of days in the Interest Period divided by 365;
(iii) if "Actual/365 (Sterling)" is specified in the applicable Final Terms, the actual number of days in the Interest Period divided by 365 or, in the case of an Interest Payment Date falling in a leap year, 366;
(iv) if "Actual/360" is specified in the applicable Final Terms, the actual number of days in the Interest Period divided by 360;
(v) if "30/360", "360/360" or "Bond Basis" is specified in the applicable Final Terms, the number of days in the Interest Period divided by 360, calculated on a formula basis as follows:

$$\text{Day Count Fraction} = \frac{[\text{360} \times (\text{Y}_2 - \text{Y}_1)] + [\text{30} \times (\text{M}_2 - \text{M}_1)] + (\text{D}_2 - \text{D}_1)}{\text{360}}$$

where:

"Y1" is the year, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the Interest Period falls:

"Y2" is the year, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day of the Interest Period falls;

"M1" is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the Interest Period falls;

"M2" is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day of the Interest Period falls;

"D1" is the first calendar day, expressed as a number, of the Interest Period, unless such number is 31, in which case D¹ will be 30; and

(vi) if "30E/360" or "Eurobond Basis" is specified in the applicable Final Terms, the number of days in the Interest Period divided by 360, calculated on a formula basis as follows:

360 [360 (Y Y )] [30 (M M )] (D D ) Day Count Fraction ² ¹ ² ¹ ² ¹

where:

"Y1" is the year, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the Interest Period falls:

"Y2" is the year, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day of the Interest Period falls;

"M1" is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the Interest Period falls;

"M2" is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day of the Interest Period falls;

"D1" is the first calendar day, expressed as a number, of the Interest Period, unless such number would be 31, in which case D¹ will be 30; and

"D2" is the calendar day, expressed as a number, immediately following the last day included in the Interest Period, unless such number would be 31, in which case D² will be 30; or

(vii) if "30E/360 (ISDA)" is specified in the applicable Final Terms, the number of days in the Interest Period divided by 360, calculated on a formula basis as follows:

$$\text{Days Count Fraction} = \frac{[\text{360} \times (\text{Y}_2 - \text{Y}_1)] + [\text{30} \times (\text{M}_2 - \text{M}_1)] + (\text{D}_2 - \text{D}_1)}{\text{360}}$$

where:

"Y1" is the year, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the Interest Period falls:

"Y2" is the year, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day of the Interest Period falls;

"M1" is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the Interest Period falls;

"M2" is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day of the Interest Period falls;

"D1" is the first calendar day, expressed as a number, of the Interest Period, unless (i) that day is the last day of February or (ii) such number would be 31, in which case D1 will be 30; and

(v) Linear Interpolation

Where Linear Interpolation is specified as applicable in respect of an Interest Period in the applicable Final Terms, the Rate of Interest for such Interest Period shall be calculated by the Calculation Agent by straight line linear interpolation by reference to two rates based on the relevant Reference Rate (where Screen Rate Determination is specified as applicable in the applicable Final Terms) or the relevant Floating Rate Option (where ISDA Determination is specified as applicable in the applicable Final Terms), one of which shall be determined as if the Designated Maturity were the period of time for which rates are available next shorter than the length of the relevant Interest Period and the other of which shall be determined as if the Designated Maturity were the period of time for which rates are available next longer than the length of the relevant Interest Period provided however that if there is no rate available for a period of time next shorter or, as the case may be, next longer, then the Calculation Agent shall determine such rate at such time and by reference to such sources as an independent adviser, appointed by the Issuer and acting in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner as an expert, determines appropriate.

Designated Maturity means, in relation to Screen Rate Determination, the period of time designated in the Reference Rate.

(vi) Notification of Rate of Interest and Interest Amounts

The Calculation Agent will cause the Rate of Interest and the VPS Agent will cause each Interest Amount for each Interest Period and the relevant Interest Payment Date to be notified to the Issuer, the VPS Agent, the VPS Trustee and any stock exchange on which the relevant Floating Rate Notes are for the time being listed and notice thereof to be published in accordance with Condition 9 (Notices) as soon as possible after their determination but in no event later than the fourth Oslo Business Day thereafter. Each Interest Amount and Interest Payment Date so notified may subsequently be amended (or appropriate alternative arrangements made by way of adjustment) without prior notice in the event of an extension or shortening of the Interest Period. Any such amendment will be promptly notified to each stock exchange on which the relevant Floating Rate Notes are for the time being listed and to the VPS Noteholders in accordance with Condition 9 (Notices). For the purposes of this paragraph, the expression Oslo Business Day means a day (other than a Saturday or a Sunday) on which banks and foreign exchange markets are open for general business in Oslo. The notification of any rate or amount, if applicable, shall be made to the VPS in accordance with and subject to the VPS rules and regulations for the time being in effect.

(vii) Determination or Calculation by the VPS Agent

If for any reason at any relevant time the Calculation Agent defaults in its obligation to determine the Rate of Interest, the VPS Agent shall determine the Rate of Interest at such rate as (having regard as to the foregoing provisions of this Condition 3(b) (Interest on Floating Rate Notes) with any consequential amendment it deems, in its reasonable opinion, to be necessary, but subject always to any Minimum Rate of Interest or Maximum Rate of Interest specified in the applicable Final Terms) it shall deem fair and reasonable in all the circumstances or and each such determination or calculation shall be deemed to have been made by the Calculation Agent.

(viii) Certificates to be Final

All certificates, communications, opinions, determinations, calculations, quotations and decisions given, expressed, made or obtained for the purposes of the provisions of this Condition 3(b) (Interest on Floating Rate Notes) by an Independent Adviser (as defined below), the Calculation Agent or the VPS Agent shall (in the absence of wilful default, bad faith or manifest error) be binding on the Issuer, the Guarantor (in the case of VPS Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee), the VPS Agent and all VPS Noteholders and (in the absence as aforesaid) no liability to the Issuer, the Guarantor (in the case of VPS Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) or the VPS Noteholders shall attach to an Independent Adviser, the Calculation Agent or the VPS Agent (if applicable) in connection with the exercise or non-exercise by it of its powers, duties and discretions pursuant to such provisions.

(ix) Benchmark Discontinuation

(A) the Issuer shall use reasonable endeavours to appoint, as soon as reasonably practicable, an Independent Adviser (as defined below) to determine (without any requirement for any consent or approval of the VPS Noteholders), no later than 10 days prior to the relevant Interest Determination Date relating to the next succeeding Interest Period (the IA Determination Cut-off Date), a Successor Rate (as defined below) or, alternatively, if there is no Successor Rate, an Alternative Reference Rate (as defined below), and in either case an Adjustment Spread (as defined below) (if applicable), for the purposes of determining the Rate of Interest (or the relevant component part thereof) applicable to the VPS Notes;
(B) if a Successor Rate or, failing which, an Alternative Reference Rate (as applicable) is determined in accordance with paragraph (A) above, such Successor Rate or, failing which, such Alternative Reference Rate (as applicable) shall be the Reference Rate for each of the future Interest Periods for which the Rate of Interest (or the relevant component thereof) was otherwise to be determined by reference to the relevant Reference Rate (subject to the subsequent operation of, and to adjustment as provided in, this Condition 3(b)(ix) (Benchmark Discontinuation));
(C) if the Independent Adviser determines a Successor Rate or, failing which, an Alternative Reference Rate (as applicable) in accordance

with the above provisions, the Independent Adviser, following consultation with the Issuer, may also specify changes to these VPS Conditions, including but not limited to the Day Count Fraction, Relevant Screen Page, Specified Time, Business Day Convention, Business Day, Interest Determination Date, Reference Banks, Additional Business Centre and/or the definition of Reference Rate applicable to the VPS Notes, and/or the method for determining the fallback to the Reference Rate in relation to the VPS Notes, in each case in order to follow market practice in relation to the Successor Rate or the Alternative Reference Rate (as applicable). If the Independent Adviser (in consultation with the Issuer) determines that an Adjustment Spread (as defined below) is required to be applied to the Successor Rate or the Alternative Reference Rate (as applicable) and determines the quantum of, or a formula or methodology for determining, such Adjustment Spread, then such Adjustment Spread shall be applied to the Successor Rate or the Alternative Reference Rate (as applicable). If the Independent Adviser is unable to determine the quantum of, or a formula or methodology for determining, such Adjustment Spread, then such Successor Rate or Alternative Reference Rate (as applicable) will apply without an Adjustment Spread (subject to the subsequent operation of, and to adjustment as provided in, this Condition 3(b)(ix) (Benchmark Discontinuation)). For the avoidance of doubt, the VPS Trustee and VPS Agent shall, at the direction and expense of the Issuer, without the requirement for any consent or approval of the VPS Noteholders, be obliged to use their reasonable endeavours to effect such amendments to the VPS Trustee Agreement, the VPS Agency Agreement and these VPS Conditions, as applicable, as may be specified by the Independent Adviser following consultation with the Issuer in order to give effect to this Condition 3(b)(ix)(C) (such amendments, the Benchmark Amendments). For the avoidance of doubt, no VPS Noteholder consent shall be required in connection with effecting the Benchmark Amendments or such other changes, including for the execution of any documents, amendments or other steps by the Issuer, the Guarantor (in the case of VPS Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee), the VPS Trustee or the VPS Agent (if required).

Prior to any such Benchmark Amendments taking effect, the Issuer shall provide a certificate signed by one director to the VPS Trustee stating that such Benchmark Amendments are, in the Issuer's reasonable opinion (following consultation with the Independent Adviser), necessary to give effect to any application of this Condition 3(b)(ix)(C) and the VPS Trustee shall be entitled to rely on such certificate without further enquiry or liability to any person and without any obligation to verify or investigate the accuracy thereof. For the avoidance of doubt, the VPS Trustee shall not be liable to the VPS Noteholders or any other person for so acting or relying on such certificate, irrespective of whether any such modification is or may be materially prejudicial to the interests of any such person;

(D) the Issuer shall promptly, following the determination of any Successor Rate or Alternative Reference Rate (as applicable) and the specific terms of any Benchmark Amendments give notice thereof to the VPS Trustee, the VPS Agent and, in accordance with Condition 9 (Notices), the VPS Noteholders (which notice shall be irrevocable);

(E) if a Successor Rate or an Alternative Reference Rate is not determined by an Independent Adviser in accordance with the above provisions prior to the relevant IA Determination Cut-off Date, then the Rate of Interest for the next Interest Period shall be determined by reference to the original Reference Rate and the fallback provisions set out in Condition 3(b)(ii)(B); for the avoidance of doubt, in such circumstances the Rate of Interest for any subsequent Interest Periods shall be subject to the subsequent operation of, and to adjustment as provided in, this Condition 3(b)(ix) (Benchmark Discontinuation); and
(F) an Independent Adviser appointed pursuant to this Condition 3(b)(ix) (Benchmark Discontinuation) shall act in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner and in accordance with the provisions of this Condition 3(b)(ix) (Benchmark Discontinuation) in respect of any determination made by it pursuant to this Condition 3(b)(ix) (Benchmark Discontinuation).

For the purposes of this Condition 3(b)(ix) (Benchmark Discontinuation):

Adjustment Spread means a spread (which may be positive or negative), quantum or formula or methodology for calculating a spread, which the Independent Adviser (in consultation with the Issuer) determines is required to be applied to the Successor Rate or the Alternative Reference Rate (as applicable) in order to reduce or eliminate, to the extent reasonably practicable in the circumstances, any economic prejudice or benefit (as applicable) to VPS Noteholders as a result of the replacement of the Reference Rate with the Successor Rate or the Alternative Reference Rate (as applicable) and is the spread, quantum, formula or methodology which:

(1) in the case of a Successor Rate, is formally recommended in relation to the replacement of the Reference Rate with the Successor Rate by any Relevant Nominating Body (as defined below); or
(2) in the case of a Successor Rate for which no such recommendation as referred to in (1) above has been made, or in the case of an Alternative Reference Rate, the Independent Adviser (in consultation with the Issuer) determines is recognised or acknowledged as being in customary market usage in international debt capital markets transactions which reference the Reference Rate, where such rate has been replaced by the Successor Rate or the Alternative Reference Rate (as applicable); or
(3) if the Independent Adviser determines that neither (1) nor (2) above applies, the Independent Adviser (in consultation with the Issuer) in its discretion determines (acting in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner) to be appropriate;

Benchmark Event means, with respect to a Reference Rate:

(1) the Reference Rate (A) ceasing to be published for a period of at least five consecutive Business Days or (B) ceasing to exist or be administered; or
(2) the later of (A) the making of a public statement by the administrator of such Reference Rate that it will, on or before a specified date, cease publishing such Reference Rate permanently or indefinitely (in circumstances where no successor administrator has been appointed that will continue publication of such Reference Rate) and (B) the date falling six months prior to the specified date referred to in (2)(A); or
(3) the making of a public statement by the supervisor of the administrator of such Reference Rate that such Reference Rate has been permanently or indefinitely discontinued; or
(4) the later of (A) the making of a public statement by the supervisor of the administrator of such Reference Rate that such Reference Rate will, on or before a specified date, be permanently or indefinitely discontinued and (B) the date falling six months prior to the specified date referred to in (4)(A); or
(5) the later of (A) the making of a public statement by the supervisor of the administrator of such Reference Rate that means such Reference Rate will be prohibited from being used or that its use will be subject to restrictions or adverse consequences, in each case on or before a specified date and (B) the date falling six months prior to the specified date referred to in (5)(A); or
(6) a public statement by the supervisor of the administrator of such Reference Rate that, in the view of such supervisor, such Reference Rate is no longer representative of an underlying market; or
(7) it has, or will prior to the next Interest Determination Date become unlawful for the Issuer, the VPS Agent, the Calculation Agent, any other party specified in the applicable Final Terms as being responsible for calculating the Rate of Interest to calculate any payments due to be made to any VPS Noteholder using such Reference Rate;

Relevant Nominating Body means, in respect of a Reference Rate:

(1) the central bank for the currency to which the Reference Rate relates, or any central bank or other supervisory authority which is responsible for supervising the administrator of the Reference Rate; or
(2) any working group or committee sponsored by, chaired or co-chaired by or constituted at the request of (a) the central bank for the currency to which the Reference Rate relates, (b) any central bank or other supervisory authority which is responsible for supervising the administrator of the Reference Rate, (c) a group of the aforementioned central banks or other supervisory authorities, or (d) the Financial Stability Board or any part thereof; and

(c) Accrual of Interest

Each VPS Note (or in the case of the redemption of part only of a VPS Note, that part only of such VPS Note) will cease to bear interest (if any) from the date for its redemption unless payment of principal is improperly withheld or refused. In such event, interest will continue to accrue until whichever is the earlier of:

(i) the date on which all amounts due in respect of such VPS Note have been paid; and
(ii) five days after the date on which the full amount of the moneys payable in respect of such VPS Note has been received by the VPS Agent and notice to that effect has been given to the VPS Noteholders in accordance with Condition 9 (Notices).

(d) Calculation Agent

The Issuer, failing which the Guarantor (in the case of VPS Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee), shall procure that there shall at all times be one or more Calculation Agents if provision is made for them in respect of the VPS Notes and for so long as any VPS Note is outstanding. Where more than one Calculation Agent is appointed in respect of the VPS Notes, references in these VPS Conditions to the Calculation Agent shall be construed as each Calculation Agent performing its respective duties under the VPS Conditions. If the Calculation Agent is unable or unwilling to act as such or if the Calculation Agent fails duly to establish the Rate of Interest for an Interest Accrual Period or to calculate any Interest Amount, Final Redemption Amount, Early Redemption Amount, Optional Redemption Amount, Make-Whole Redemption Amount or Residual Call Early Redemption Amount, as the case may be, or to comply with any other requirement, the Issuer, failing which the Guarantor, shall (with prior notification to the VPS Trustee) appoint a leading bank or investment banking firm engaged in the inter-bank market (or, if appropriate, money, swap or over-the-counter index options market) that is most closely connected with the calculation or determination to be made by the Calculation Agent (acting through its principal London office or any other office actively involved in such market) to act as such in its place. The Calculation Agent may not resign its duties without a successor having been appointed as aforesaid.

4. Payments

(a) Payments in respect of VPS Notes

Payments of principal and interest in respect of VPS Notes and notification thereof to VPS Noteholders will be made to the VPS Noteholders shown in the records of the VPS and will be effected through and in accordance with and subject to the rules and regulations from time to time governing the VPS.

Payments will be subject in all cases to any fiscal or other laws and regulations applicable thereto in the place of payment, but without prejudice to the provisions of Condition 6 (Taxation).

The VPS Agent and any Calculation Agent act solely as agents of the Issuer and do not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any VPS Noteholder. The Issuer reserves the right at any time, with prior notification to the VPS Trustee, to vary or terminate the appointment of the VPS Agent or the Calculation Agent and to appoint additional or other agents, provided that the Issuer shall at all times maintain (i) a VPS Agent authorised to act as an account operating institution with the VPS, (ii) one or more Calculation Agent(s) where the VPS Conditions so require, and (iii) such other agents as may be required by any stock exchange on which the VPS Notes may be listed.

Notice of any such change or of any change of any specified office shall promptly be given to the VPS Noteholders in accordance with Condition 9 (Notices).

(b) Payment Day

If the date for payment of any amount in respect of any VPS Note is not a Payment Day, the holder thereof shall not be entitled to payment until the next following Payment Day and shall not be entitled to further interest or other payment in respect of such delay. For these purposes, Payment Day means any day which (subject to Condition 6 (Taxation)) is:

(i) a day on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets settle payments and are open for general business (including dealing in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in each Additional Financial Centre (other than TARGET2 System) specified in the applicable Final Terms;
(ii) if TARGET2 System is specified as an Additional Financial Centre in the applicable Final Terms, a day on which the TARGET2 System is open; and
(iii) either (A) in relation to any sum payable in a Specified Currency other than euro, a day on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets settle payments and are open for general business (including dealing in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in the principal financial centre of the country of the relevant Specified Currency (which if the Specified Currency is New Zealand dollars shall be Auckland) or (B) in relation to any sum payable in euro, a day on which the TARGET2 System is open.

(c) Interpretation of Principal and Interest

Any reference in these VPS Conditions to principal in respect of the VPS Notes shall be deemed to include, as applicable:

(i) any additional amounts which may be payable with respect to principal under Condition 6 (Taxation);
(ii) the Final Redemption Amount of the VPS Notes;
(iii) the Early Redemption Amount of the VPS Notes;
(iv) the Optional Redemption Amount(s) (if any) of the VPS Notes;
(v) the Make-Whole Redemption Amount(s) (if any) of the VPS Notes;
(vi) the Residual Call Early Redemption Amount (if any) of the VPS Notes; and
(vii) any premium and any other amounts (other than interest) which may be payable by the Issuer under or in respect of the VPS Notes.

Any reference in these VPS Conditions to interest in respect of the VPS Notes shall be deemed to include, as applicable, any additional amounts which may be payable with respect to interest under Condition 6 (Taxation).

5. Redemption and Purchase

(a) At Maturity

Unless previously redeemed or purchased and cancelled as specified below, each VPS Note will be redeemed by the Issuer at its Final Redemption Amount specified in, or determined in the manner specified in, the applicable Final Terms in the relevant Specified Currency on the Maturity Date.

(b) Redemption for Tax Reasons

The VPS Notes may be redeemed at the option of the Issuer in whole, but not in part, at any time (if this VPS Note is not a Floating Rate Note) or on any Interest Payment Date (if this VPS Note is a Floating Rate Note), on giving not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice to the VPS Noteholders (which notice shall be irrevocable), if:

(i) on the occasion of the next payment due under the VPS Notes, the Issuer has or will become obliged to pay additional amounts as provided or referred to in Condition 6 (Taxation) or (in the case of VPS Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) the Guarantor would be unable for reasons outside its control to procure payment by the Issuer and in making payment itself would be required to pay such additional amounts, in each case as a result of any change in, or amendment to, the laws or regulations of the Kingdom of Norway or any political subdivision or any authority thereof or therein having power to tax, or any change in the application or official interpretation of such laws or regulations, which change or amendment becomes effective on or after the Issue Date of the first Tranche of the VPS Notes; and
(ii) such obligation cannot be avoided by the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor (in the case of VPS Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) taking reasonable measures available to it,

provided that no such notice of redemption shall be given earlier than 90 days (or, in the case of Floating Rate Notes, a number of days which is equal to the aggregate of the number of days falling within the then current interest period applicable to the Floating Rate Notes plus 60 days) prior to the earliest date on which the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor (in the case of VPS Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) would be obliged to pay such additional amounts were a payment in respect of the VPS Notes then due.

Prior to the publication of any notice of redemption pursuant to this Condition 5(b) (Redemption for Tax Reasons), the Issuer shall deliver to the VPS Trustee a certificate signed by one director of the Issuer or, as the case may be, one director of the Guarantor (in the case of VPS Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) stating that the Issuer is entitled to effect such redemption and setting forth a statement of facts showing that the conditions precedent to the right of the Issuer so to redeem have occurred, and an opinion of independent legal advisers of recognised standing to the effect that the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor (in the case of VPS Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) has or will become obliged to pay such additional amounts as a result of such change or amendment.

VPS Notes redeemed pursuant to this Condition 5(b) (Redemption for Tax Reasons) will be redeemed at their Early Redemption Amount referred to in paragraph (g) below together (if appropriate) with interest accrued to (but excluding) the date of redemption.

(c) Redemption at the Option of the Issuer (Issuer Call)

If Issuer Call is specified as being applicable in the applicable Final Terms, the Issuer shall, having given:

(i) not less than 15 nor more than 30 days' notice to the VPS Noteholders in accordance with Condition 9 (Notices); and
(ii) not less than 15 days before the giving of the notice referred to in (i), notice to the VPS Agent and the VPS Trustee;

(which notices shall be irrevocable), redeem all or, if so specified in the applicable Final Terms, some only of the VPS Notes then outstanding on any Optional Redemption Date and at the Optional Redemption Amount(s) specified in, or determined in the manner specified in, the applicable Final Terms together, if appropriate, with interest accrued to (but excluding) the relevant Optional Redemption Date. Any such redemption must be of a nominal amount not less than the Minimum Redemption Amount and not more than a Higher Redemption Amount in each case as may be specified in the applicable Final Terms. In the case of a partial redemption of VPS Notes, the VPS Notes to be redeemed will be selected in accordance with the rules and procedures of the VPS, not more than 30 days prior to the date fixed for redemption.

(d) Make-Whole Redemption

If Make-Whole Redemption is specified as being applicable in the applicable Final Terms, the Issuer may, having given not less than 15 nor more than 60 days' notice (or such other notice period as may be specified in the applicable Final Terms) to the VPS Noteholders in accordance with Condition 9 (Notices) (which notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the date fixed for redemption (the Make-Whole Redemption Date)), redeem all or (if redemption in part is specified as being applicable in the applicable Final Terms) some only of the VPS Notes then outstanding on any Make-Whole Redemption Date and at the Make-Whole Redemption Amount together, if appropriate, with interest accrued to (but excluding) the relevant Make-Whole Redemption Date. If redemption in part is specified as being applicable in the applicable Final Terms, any such redemption must be of a nominal amount not less than the Minimum Redemption Amount and not more than the Maximum Redemption Amount in each case as may be specified in the applicable Final Terms.

In the case of a partial redemption of VPS Notes, the VPS Notes to be redeemed will be selected in accordance with the rules and procedures of the VPS, not more than 30 days prior to the Make-Whole Redemption Date.

In this Condition 5(d) (Make-Whole Redemption), Make-Whole Redemption Amount means (A) the outstanding principal amount of the relevant VPS Note or (B) if higher, the sum, as determined by the Calculation Agent, in cooperation with the Issuer, of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the VPS Notes to be redeemed (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued to the date of redemption) discounted to the Make-Whole Redemption Date on an annual basis at the Reference Rate plus the Make-Whole Redemption Margin specified in the applicable Final Terms, where:

CA Selected Bond means a government security or securities (which, if the Specified Currency is euro, will be a German Bundesobligationen) selected by the Calculation Agent as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the VPS Notes to be redeemed that would be utilised, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of such VPS Notes;

Reference Bond means (A) if CA Selected Bond is specified in the applicable Final Terms, the relevant CA Selected Bond or (B) if CA Selected Bond is not specified in the applicable Final Terms, the security specified in the applicable Final Terms, provided that if the Calculation Agent advises the Issuer that, for reasons of illiquidity or otherwise, the relevant security specified is not appropriate for such purpose, such other central bank or government security as the Calculation Agent may, with the advice of Reference Market Makers, determine to be appropriate;

Reference Bond Price means (i) the average of three Reference Market Maker Quotations for the relevant Make-Whole Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and lowest Reference Market Maker Quotations, (ii) if the Calculation Agent obtains fewer than three, but more than one, such Reference Market Maker Quotations, the average of all such quotations, or (iii) if only one such Reference Market Maker Quotation is obtained, the amount of the Reference Market Maker Quotation so obtained;

Reference Market Maker Quotations means, with respect to each Reference Market Maker and any Make-Whole Redemption Date, the average, as determined by the Calculation Agent, of the bid and asked prices for the Reference Bond (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Calculation Agent at the Quotation Time specified in the applicable Final Terms on the Reference Rate Determination Day specified in the applicable Final Terms;

Reference Market Makers means three brokers or market makers of securities such as the Reference Bond selected by the Calculation Agent or such other three persons operating in the market for securities such as the Reference Bond as are selected by the Calculation Agent in consultation with the Issuer; and

(e) Issuer Residual Call

If Issuer Residual Call is specified as being applicable in the applicable Final Terms and, at any time, the outstanding aggregate nominal amount of the VPS Notes is 20 per cent. or less of the aggregate nominal amount of the Series issued, the VPS Notes may be redeemed at the option of the Issuer in whole, but not in part, at any time (if this VPS Note is not a Floating Rate Note) or on any Interest Payment Date (if this VPS Note is a Floating Rate Note), on giving not less than 15 and not more than 60 days' notice (or such other notice period as may be specified in the applicable Final Terms) to the VPS Noteholders in accordance with Condition 9 (Notices) (which notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the date fixed for redemption) at the Residual Call Early Redemption Amount together, if appropriate, with interest accrued to (but excluding) the date of redemption.

Prior to the publication of any notice of redemption pursuant to this Condition 5(e) (Issuer Residual Call), the Issuer shall deliver to the VPS Trustee, a certificate signed by one director of the Issuer or, as the case may be, one director of the Guarantor (in the case of VPS Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) stating that the Issuer is entitled to effect such redemption and setting forth a statement of facts showing that the outstanding aggregate nominal amount of the VPS Notes is 20 per cent. or less of the aggregate nominal amount of the Series issued. The VPS Trustee shall be entitled to accept such certificate (without further enquiry or liability to any person and without any obligation to verify or investigate the accuracy thereof) as sufficient evidence of the satisfaction of the condition precedent set out above, in which event it shall be conclusive and binding on the VPS Noteholders.

(f) Redemption at the Option of the VPS Noteholders (Investor Put)

If Investor Put is specified as being applicable in the applicable Final Terms, upon the holder of any VPS Note giving to the Issuer in accordance with Condition 9 (Notices) not less than 15 nor more than 30 days' notice the Issuer will, upon the expiry of such notice, redeem, in whole (but not in part), such VPS Note on the Optional Redemption Date and at the Optional Redemption Amount specified in the applicable Final Terms together, if appropriate, with interest accrued to (but excluding) the Optional Redemption Date.

To exercise the right to require redemption of this VPS Note the holder of this VPS Note must, within the notice period, give notice (a Put Notice) to the VPS Agent of such exercise in accordance with the standard procedures of VPS in a form acceptable to VPS from time to time.

Any Put Notice given by a holder of any VPS Note pursuant to this paragraph shall be irrevocable except where prior to the due date of redemption an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing in which event such holder, at its option, may elect by notice to the Issuer to withdraw the notice given pursuant to this paragraph and instead to declare such VPS Note forthwith due and payable pursuant to Condition 8 (Events of Default).

(g) Early Redemption Amounts

For the purpose of paragraph (b) above and Condition 8 (Events of Default), the VPS Notes will be redeemed at the Early Redemption Amount calculated as follows:

(i) in the case of VPS Notes with a Final Redemption Amount equal to the Issue Price, at the Final Redemption Amount thereof;
(ii) in the case of VPS Notes (other than Zero Coupon Notes) with a Final Redemption Amount which is or may be less or greater than the Issue Price or which is payable in a Specified Currency other than that in which the VPS Notes are denominated, at the amount specified in, or determined in the manner specified in, the applicable Final Terms or, if no such amount or manner is so specified in the Final Terms, at their nominal amount; or
(iii) in the case of Zero Coupon Notes, at its Early Redemption Amount calculated in accordance with the following formula:

Early Redemption Amount = RP x (1 + AY)^y

where:

RP means the Reference Price;

AY means the Accrual Yield expressed as a decimal; and

y is the Day Count Fraction specified in the applicable Final Terms which will be either (i) 30/360 (in which case the numerator will be equal to the number of days (calculated on the basis of a 360 day year consisting of 12 months of 30 days each) from (and including) the Issue Date of the first Tranche of the VPS Notes to (but excluding) the date fixed for redemption or (as the case may be) the date upon which such VPS Note becomes due and repayable and the denominator will be 360 (ii) Actual/360 (in which case the numerator will be equal to the actual number of days from (and including) the Issue Date of the first Tranche of the VPS Notes to (but excluding) the date fixed for redemption or (as the case may be) the date upon which such VPS Note becomes due and repayable and the denominator will be 360) or (iii) Actual/365 (in which case the numerator will be equal to the actual number of days from (and including) the Issue Date of the first Tranche of the VPS Notes to (but excluding) the date fixed for redemption or (as the case may be) the date upon which such VPS Note becomes due and repayable and the denominator will be 365).

(h) Purchases

The Issuer or the Guarantor (in the case of VPS Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) may at any time purchase VPS Notes at any price in the open market or otherwise. Such VPS Notes may be held, reissued, resold or, at the option of the Issuer or the Guarantor (in the case of VPS Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee), cancelled by the VPS Agent causing such VPS Notes to be deleted from the records of the VPS.

(i) Late payment on Zero Coupon Notes

(i) the date on which all amounts due in respect of such Zero Coupon Note have been paid; and
(ii) five days after the date on which the full amount of the moneys payable has been received by the VPS and notice to that effect has been given to the VPS Noteholders in accordance with Condition 9 (Notices).

6. Taxation

All payments of principal and interest in respect of the VPS Notes by the Issuer or (in the case of VPS Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) the Guarantor shall be made free and clear of, and without withholding or deduction for, any taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges of whatever nature imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by or within the Kingdom of Norway or any authority therein or thereof having power to tax, unless such withholding or deduction is required by law. In such event, the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor (in the case of VPS Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) shall pay such additional amounts as will result in receipt by the holders of the VPS Notes of such amounts as would have been received by them had no such withholding or deduction been required, except that no such additional amounts shall be payable with respect to any VPS Note the holder or beneficial owner of which is liable for such taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges in respect of such VPS Note by reason of his having some connection with the Kingdom of Norway other than the mere holding of such VPS Note.

In addition, any amounts to be paid on the VPS Notes will be paid net of any deduction or withholding imposed or required pursuant to sections 1471 through 1474 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or any regulations thereunder or official interpretations thereof) (FATCA) or any intergovernmental agreement with the United States to implement FATCA (IGA) (or any law implementing such an intergovernmental agreement), and no additional amounts will be required to be paid on account of any such deduction or withholding.

Relevant Date means whichever is the later of (i) the date on which such payment first becomes due and (ii) if the full amount payable has not been received by the VPS Agent on or prior to such due date, the date on which, the full amount having been so received, notice to that effect is duly given to the VPS Noteholders in accordance with Condition 9 (Notices).

7. Prescription

The VPS Notes will become void unless claims in respect of principal and/or interest are made within a period of 10 years (in the case of principal) and five years (in the case of interest) after the Relevant Date therefor.

8. Events of Default

If any one or more of the following events (each an Event of Default) shall occur and is continuing:

(a) the Issuer or (in the case of VPS Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) the Guarantor fails to pay any principal or interest on any of the VPS Notes when due and such failure continues, in the case of principal or interest, for a period of 30 days; or
(b) the Issuer or (in the case of VPS Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) the Guarantor does not perform or comply with any one or more of its other obligations in the VPS Notes which default is incapable of remedy or is not remedied within 90 days after notice of such default shall have been given to the VPS Trustee at its specified office by any VPS Noteholder; or
(c) the Issuer or (in the case of VPS Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) the Guarantor is (or is, or could be, deemed by law or a court to be) insolvent or bankrupt or unable to pay its debts, stops, suspends or threatens to stop or suspend payment of all or a material part of (or of a particular type of) its debts, proposes or makes a general assignment or an arrangement or composition with or for the benefit of the relevant creditors in respect of any of such debts or a moratorium is agreed or declared in respect of or affecting all or any part of (or of a particular type of) the debts of the Issuer or (in the case of VPS Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) the Guarantor; or
(d) (A) an order is made or an effective resolution passed for the winding-up or dissolution of the Issuer or (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) the Guarantor, or (B) the Issuer or (in the case of VPS Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) the Guarantor ceases or threatens to cease to carry on all or substantially all of its business or operations, except:
- (i) (in the case of sub-paragraph (B)) in the case of an Asset Transfer;
- (ii) in the case of a Permitted Reorganisation; or
- (iii) for the purpose of and followed by any other reconstruction, amalgamation, reorganisation, merger or consolidation, on terms approved by the VPS Noteholders (in accordance with the meeting provisions in the VPS Trustee Agreement); or
(e) other than in respect of the termination of the Guarantee pursuant to Condition 2(c) (Termination of Guarantee), if the Guarantee ceases to be, or is claimed by the Issuer or the Guarantor not to be, in full force and effect; or
(f) any event occurs which under the laws of any relevant jurisdiction has an analogous effect to any of the events referred to in (c) to (e) above,

then any VPS Note may, by notice given in writing to the Issuer and the VPS Trustee at its specified office by the holder be declared immediately due and payable whereupon it shall become immediately due and payable at the Early Redemption Amount (as described in Condition 5(g) (Early Redemption Amounts)), together with accrued interest (if any) to the date of repayment, without further formality unless such Event of Default shall have been remedied prior to the receipt of such notice by the VPS Trustee.

As used herein:

Permitted Reorganisation means any (i) consolidation by the Issuer or (in the case of VPS Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) the Guarantor with, or merger of the Issuer or (in the case of VPS Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) the Guarantor into, another person, or (ii) conveyance, transfer or lease by the Issuer or (in the case of VPS Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) the Guarantor of all or substantially all of its and its Subsidiaries' properties and assets, taken as a whole, to any person, in each case where:

(a) the person formed by such consolidation into which the Issuer or the Guarantor, as the case may be, is merged or the person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries or the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries, in each case taken as a whole, (such person, the Successor) shall be a corporation, partnership or trust, shall be organised and validly existing under the laws of any jurisdiction and shall expressly assume, by way of a deed of assumption governed by English law (the Deed of Assumption), all obligations of the Issuer and/or the Guarantor, as applicable, under the VPS Notes and/or the Guarantee, as applicable; and
(b) the Issuer or the Guarantor, as the case may be, has delivered to the VPS Trustee (1) a certificate signed by one director of the Issuer or, as the case may be, one director of the Guarantor (in the case of VPS Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease comply with the requirements of this definition and that all conditions precedent provided for in this definition relating to such transaction have been complied with, and (2) legal opinions from (A) a leading firm of lawyers to the Successor in the country of incorporation of the Successor, and (B) a leading firm of lawyers to the Successor in England, in each case to the effect that, as a matter of the relevant law, the Deed of Assumption constitutes legal, valid and binding obligations of the Successor and is enforceable in accordance with its terms, such opinions to be available for inspection by VPS Noteholders at the specified offices of the VPS Trustee; and

Subsidiary means, at any particular time, a company of which the Issuer or (in the case of VPS Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) the Guarantor directly or indirectly owns or controls at least a majority of the outstanding voting stock having power to elect directors of such company.

9. Notices

Notices to the VPS Noteholders shall be valid if the relevant notice is given to the VPS for communication by it to the VPS Noteholders and, so long as the VPS Notes are listed on a stock exchange, the Issuer shall ensure that notices are duly published in a manner which complies with the rules and regulations of any stock exchange or other relevant authority on which the VPS Notes are for the time being listed or by which they have been admitted to trading including publication on the website of the relevant stock exchange or relevant authority if required by those rules. Any such notice will be deemed to have been given on the date one day after delivery to the VPS.

10. Meetings of VPS Noteholders, Modification and Waiver

(a) Provisions with respect to holders of VPS Notes

The VPS Trustee Agreement contains provisions for convening meetings of the VPS Noteholders to consider any matter affecting their interests, including sanctioning resolutions by a majority of votes (or, in the case of any waiver or amendment of any terms of the VPS Conditions or the VPS Trustee Agreement, sanctioning by a majority of two thirds of votes). Such a meeting may be convened by the Issuer, the VPS Trustee or by VPS Noteholders holding not less than 10 per cent. of the Voting VPS Notes.

For the purpose of this Condition 10(a) (Provisions with respect to holders of VPS Notes), Voting VPS Notes means the aggregate nominal amount of the total number of VPS Notes not redeemed or otherwise deregistered in the VPS, less the VPS Notes purchased beneficially by the Issuer, any party who has decisive influence over the Issuer or any party over whom the Issuer has decisive influence.

The quorum at a meeting for passing a resolution is one or more persons holding at least one half of the Voting VPS Notes or at any adjourned meeting one or more persons being or representing holders of Voting VPS Notes whatever the nominal amount of the VPS Notes so held or represented. A resolution passed at any meeting of the VPS Noteholders shall be binding on all the VPS Noteholders, whether or not they are present at such meeting.

(b) Modification

The VPS Trustee Agreement provides that:

(i) the VPS Trustee may in certain circumstances, without the consent of the VPS Noteholders, make decisions binding on all VPS Noteholders relating to the VPS Conditions or the VPS Trustee Agreement including amendments that are not, in the VPS Trustee's opinion, materially prejudicial to the interests of the VPS Noteholders; and
(ii) that the VPS Trustee may reach decisions binding on all VPS Noteholders.

In addition, the VPS Trustee and VPS Agent shall be obliged to use their reasonable endeavours to effect any Benchmark Amendments in the circumstances and as otherwise set out in Condition 3(b)(ix) (Benchmark Discontinuation) above without the consent of the VPS Noteholders.

11. Substitution

The Issuer, or any previously substituted company, may at any time, without the consent of the VPS Noteholders, substitute for itself as principal debtor under the VPS Notes a company (the Substitute) as principal debtor under the VPS Notes, provided that no payment in respect of the VPS Notes is at the relevant time overdue. The substitution shall be made by an English law governed deed poll and may take place only if:

(i) the obligations of the Substitute under a deed poll and the VPS Notes shall be unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by Equinor ASA (in such capacity, the New Guarantor and such guarantee, the New Guaratee) and (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) the Guarantor, by means of such deed poll;
(ii) all action, conditions and things required to be taken, fulfilled and done (including the obtaining of any necessary consents) to ensure that a deed poll and the VPS Notes represent valid, legally binding and enforceable obligations of the Substitute and in the case of the deed poll of the New Guarantor and (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) the Guarantor have been taken, fulfilled and done and are in full force and effect;
(iii) the Substitute shall have become party to the VPS Agency Agreement and VPS Trustee Agreement, with any appropriate consequential amendments, as if it had been an original party to it;
(iv) each stock exchange or listing authority which has the VPS Notes listed on such stock exchange shall have confirmed that following the proposed substitution of the Substitute the VPS Notes would continue to be listed on such stock exchange;
(v) legal opinions addressed to the VPS Noteholders shall have been delivered to them (care of the VPS Trustee) from a lawyer or firm of lawyers with a leading securities practice in (i) the Kingdom of Norway and, if applicable, any Substitute Jurisdiction (as defined in the final paragraph of this Condition 11 (Substitution)) and (ii) England, in each case as to the fulfilment of the preceding conditions of this Condition 11 (Substitution); and
(vi) the Issuer shall have given at least 14 days' prior notice of such substitution to the VPS Noteholders, stating that copies, or, pending execution, the agreed text, of all documents in relation to the substitution which are referred to above, or which might otherwise reasonably be regarded as material to VPS Noteholders, will be available for inspection at the specified office of each of the VPS Agent and VPS Trustee. References in Condition 8 (Events of Default) to obligations under the VPS Notes shall be deemed to include obligations under the deed poll referred to above, and the events listed in Condition 8 (Events of Default) shall be deemed to include (A) the New Guarantee not being (or being claimed by the New Guarantor not to be) in full force and effect, and (B) an additional Event of Default if the Substitute ceases to be wholly owned and controlled by the New Guarantor, and the provisions of Condition 8(c) to 8(e) (Events of Default) inclusive (other than the words "other than in respect of the termination of the Guarantee pursuant to Condition 2(c) (Termination of Guarantee)" in Condition 8(e)) shall be deemed to apply in addition to the New Guarantor.

In connection with any proposed substitution pursuant to this Condition 11 (Substitution), the Issuer (or previously substituted company, as the case may be) or Substitute shall not be required to have regard to, or be in any way liable for, the consequences of such substitution for individual VPS Noteholders resulting from their being for any purpose domiciled or resident in, or otherwise connected with, or subject to the jurisdiction of, any particular territory. No VPS Noteholder shall, in connection with any such substitution, be entitled to claim from the Issuer (or previously substituted company, as the case may be) or Substitute any indemnification or payment in respect of any tax consequence of any such substitution upon such individual VPS Noteholders, except to the extent already provided in Condition 6 (Taxation) as modified in accordance with the final paragraph of this Condition 11 (Substitution).

In Condition 10 (Meetings of the VPS Noteholders, Modification and Waiver), an extra category shall be added to the proposals for which a special quorum is required for proposals to modify or cancel the obligations of the New Guarantor under the deed poll. Conditions 2 (Status of the VPS Notes and the Guarantee) and 5(h) (Purchases) shall be deemed to apply in addition to the New Guarantor.

Where a substitution takes place pursuant to this Condition 11 (Substitution) and the Substitute is subject, by reason of its incorporation or residence for tax purposes, to a jurisdiction or any political subdivision or any authority thereof or therein having power to tax (the Substitute Jurisdiction) other than the Kingdom of Norway (or, as the case may be, the jurisdiction of incorporation or residence for tax purposes of the preceding substituted company) or any political subdivision or any authority thereof or therein having power to tax (the Previous Jurisdiction), references to the Previous Jurisdiction in Condition 5(b) (Redemption for Tax Reasons) and Condition 6 (Taxation) shall, in respect of any payments to be made by the Substitute (but not in respect of payments to be made by (A) the New Guarantor under the New Guarantee or (B) (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) the Guarantor), be deemed to be replaced by references to the Substitute Jurisdiction, and Condition 5(b) (Redemption for Tax Reasons) and Condition 6 (Taxation) shall be deemed to be modified accordingly when the substitution takes place.

12. VPS Trustee

The VPS Trustee Agreement contains provisions for the indemnification of the VPS Trustee and for its relief from responsibility and liability, including provisions relieving it from taking action unless indemnified and/or secured to its satisfaction. VPS Noteholders are deemed to have accepted and will be bound by the VPS Conditions and the terms of the VPS Trustee Agreement.

13. Further Issues

The Issuer shall be at liberty from time to time without the consent of the VPS Noteholders to create and issue further notes having terms and conditions the same as the VPS Notes or the same in all respects save for the amount and date of the first payment of interest thereon and so that the same shall be consolidated and form a single Series with the outstanding VPS Notes.

14. Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999

A person who is not a VPS Noteholder has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 (the Act) to enforce any term of the VPS Notes, but this does not affect any right or remedy of a third party which exists or is available apart from the Act.

15. Governing Law and Submission to Jurisdiction

(a) The VPS Notes and the Guarantee (and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with the VPS Notes and the Guarantee) are governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, English law, save that VPS Conditions 1 (Form, Denomination and Title), 2(a) (Status of the VPS Notes), 2(b) (Status of Guarantee), 10 (Meetings of the VPS Noteholders, Modification and Waiver) and 12 (VPS Trustee) (and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with VPS Conditions 1 (Form, Denomination and Title), 2(a) (Status of the VPS Notes), 2(b) (Status of Guarantee), 10 (Meetings of the VPS Noteholders, Modification and Waiver) and 12 (VPS Trustee)) are governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, Norwegian law.
(b) The VPS Trustee Agreement and the VPS Agency Agreement (and any noncontractual obligations arising out of or in connection with the VPS Trustee Agreement and VPS Agency Agreement) are governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, Norwegian law.
(c) VPS Notes must comply with the Norwegian Securities Register Act of 5 July 2002 No. 64, as amended or replaced from time to time, and the holders of VPS Notes will be entitled to the rights and are subject to the obligations and liabilities which arise under this act and any related regulations and legislation. The registration of VPS Notes in the VPS as well as the recording and transfer of ownership to, and other interests in, VPS Notes will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, Norwegian law.
(d) Subject to paragraph (e) below, the courts of England are to have jurisdiction to settle any disputes (including a dispute relating to any non-contractual obligations) which may arise out of or in connection with the VPS Notes and the Guarantee and accordingly any legal action or proceedings arising out of or in connection with the VPS Notes and the Guarantee (Proceedings) may be brought in such courts. Each of the Issuer and the Guarantor irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of such courts and waives any objection to Proceedings in any such courts whether on the ground of venue or on the ground that the Proceedings have been brought in an inconvenient forum.
(e) This paragraph (e) is for the benefit of the VPS Noteholders only. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the VPS Noteholders may take Proceedings against the Issuer and/or the Guarantor in any other court of competent jurisdiction and concurrent Proceedings in any number of jurisdictions.
(f) Each of the Issuer and the Guarantor irrevocably appoints Equinor UK Limited at its registered office in England for the time being at One Kingdom Street, Paddington Central, London W2 6BD to receive service of process in any Proceedings in England based on the VPS Notes. If for any reason the Issuer or Guarantor does not have such an agent in England, it will promptly appoint a substitute process agent and notify the VPS Noteholders of such appointment. Nothing herein shall affect the right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

USE OF PROCEEDS

The net proceeds from each issue of Notes will be applied by the Issuer for its general corporate purposes, unless otherwise specified in the applicable Final Terms.

EQUINOR

Overview

Equinor ASA

The Issuer, Equinor ASA, is the parent company of the Group, an international energy company that is primarily engaged in oil and gas exploration and production activities. The Issuer has its registered office and headquarters at Forusbeen 50, N-4035 Stavanger, Norway. Equinor ASA is a public limited company, incorporated under the laws of Norway in September 1972 and is registered in the Norwegian Register of Business Enterprises in 8910 Brønnøysund, Norway under organisation number 923 609 016. The Norwegian State is the largest shareholder in the Issuer, with a direct ownership interest of 67 per cent.

Equinor Energy AS

The Guarantor, Equinor Energy AS, was incorporated under the laws of Norway in February 2007 under organisation number 990 888 213. The Guarantor is registered as a limited company and operates under the laws of Norway. The Guarantor's registered office is at Forusbeen 50, N--4035 Stavanger, Norway.

The Guarantor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Issuer.

The Guarantor is the owner of a considerable portion of the assets of Equinor (including licences, production plants and transportation systems as well as shareholdings in several international subsidiaries). A list of the most significant subsidiaries directly held by the Guarantor as of 31 December 2019 is set out on page 36 of the Guarantor's annual financial statements for the financial year ended 31 December 2019, as incorporated by reference in this Offering Circular. Its main revenues are derived from the sale of crude oil and natural gas. The Guarantor is controlled and operated through the business lines of the Issuer, which as 100 per cent. owner, defines and develops the framework within which the Guarantor conducts its business subject to any limitation set out in the articles of association and applicable law. The business transactions of the Guarantor are carried out by the employees of the Issuer as an integrated part of the other business operations carried out by Equinor. The operations of the Guarantor are financed through cash-flow from its operations, as well as with long-term loans from the Issuer.

Business overview of Equinor

The Issuer is an international energy company that is engaged in exploration, development and production of oil and gas, as well as wind and solar power. The Group has business operations in over 30 countries and as at 31 December 2019, employed 21,412 employees worldwide. In addition to being the leading operator on the NCS (according to www.norskpetroleum.no), Equinor also has substantial international activities and is present in several of the most important oil and gas provinces in the world.

The Issuer is an energy company committed to long-term value creation in a low-carbon future. Equinor will develop and maximise the value of its unique NCS position, its international oil and gas business, its manufacturing and trading activities and its growing new energy business, focusing on safety, value and carbon efficiency.

Equinor's access to crude oil in the form of equity, governmental and third-party volumes makes it a large net crude oil seller, and Equinor is the second largest supplier of natural gas to the European market. Processing, refining, offshore wind and carbon capture and storage are also part of Equinor's operations.

The Norwegian State has direct participating interests in licences and petroleum facilities on the NCS, through the SDFI. Equinor markets and sells the SDFI share of NCS oil and gas production, together with Equinor's own production. Equinor includes the costs of purchase and proceeds from the sale of the SDFI oil production in purchases net of inventory variation and revenues, respectively.

Equinor sells, in its own name, but for the Norwegian State's account and risk, the State's production of natural gas. These gas sales, and related expenditures refunded by the State, are shown net in the Issuer 2019 Consolidated Financial Statements.

The information on Equinor's competitive position in this section is based on a number of sources, including investment analysts' reports, independent market studies and Equinor's internal assessments of its market share based on publicly available information about the financial results and performance of market players as well as the NPD Fact Pages published by the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD), the contents on the NPD website (www.npd.no) and the website of the Norwegian Oil and Gas Association (www.norskpetroleum.no), as well as the contents on the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (NMPE) website (www.regjeringen.no). The contents of such documents and websites do not form part of this Offering Circular.

Business Areas

Equinor's operations are managed through the following business areas:

Development & Production Norway (DPN), Development & Production Brazil (DPB), Development & Production International (DPI), Marketing, Midstream & Processing (MMP), New Energy Solutions (NES), Technology, Projects & Drilling (TPD), Exploration (EXP) and Global Strategy & Business Development (GSB).

The development and production business areas are responsible for the commercial development of the oil and gas portfolios within their respective geographical areas: DPN on the NCS, DPB in Brazil and DPI worldwide outside of DPN and DPB.

Exploration activities are managed by a separate business area, which has the global responsibility across the Group for discovery and appraisal of new resources. Exploration activities are allocated to and presented in the respective development and production business areas.

TPD is responsible for field development, well deliveries, technology development and procurement in Equinor. The activities are allocated and presented in the respective business areas receiving the deliveries.

The MMP business area is responsible for global marketing and trading of oil and gas commodities (crude, condensate, gas liquids, products, natural gas and liquefied natural gas), electricity and emission rights, as well as transportation, processing and manufacturing of the above-mentioned commodities, operations of refineries, terminals, processing and power plants.

The NES business area is responsible for wind parks, carbon capture and storage as well as other renewable energy and low-carbon energy solutions.

GSB develops the corporate strategy and manages business development and merger and acquisition activities for Equinor.

Reporting Segments

Equinor reports its business in the following reporting segments:

E&P Norway reporting segment Exploration & Production Norway the DPN business area
E&P International reporting segment Exploration & Production International, which combines the DPI and the DPB business areas
MMP reporting segment Marketing, Midstream & Processing the MMP business area
Other which includes activities in NES, TPD, GSB, EXP and corporate staff and support functions

Most of the costs within the business areas GSB, TPD and EXP are allocated to the E&P International, E&P Norway and MMP reporting segments. Activities relating to the EXP business area are fully allocated to the relevant exploration and production reporting segments.

Activities relating to the TPD, GSB business areas and corporate staff and support functions are partly allocated to the relevant exploration and production and MMP reporting segments.

Exploration & Production Norway

The Exploration & Production Norway segment covers exploration, field development and operations on the NCS, which includes the North Sea, the Norwegian Sea and the Barents Sea. E&P Norway aims to ensure safe and efficient operations, maximising the value potential from the NCS.

For 2019, Equinor reports production on the NCS from 41 Equinor-operated fields, 9 partneroperated fields, as well as equity-accounted production from Lundin Petroleum AB for the first 8 months of 2019.

Exploration & Production International

Equinor is present in several of the most important oil and gas provinces in the world. The E&P International segment covers exploration, development and production of oil and gas outside the NCS. E&P International is present in nearly 25 countries and had production in 12 countries in 2019. E&P International produced around 40 per cent. of Equinor's total equity production of oil and gas in 2019, compared to 39 per cent. in 2018.

MMP

The Marketing, Midstream & Processing reporting segment is responsible for the marketing, trading, processing and transportation of crude oil and condensate, natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGL) and refined products, including the operation of the Equinor-operated refineries, terminals and processing plants. In addition, MMP is responsible for power and emissions trading and for developing transportation solutions for natural gas, liquids and crude oil from Equinor assets, including pipelines, shipping, trucking and rail. MMP markets, trades and transports approximately 50 per cent. of all Norwegian liquids export, including Equinor equity, the Norwegian State's direct financial interest (SDFI) equity production of crude oil and NGL, and third-party volumes. MMP is also responsible for the marketing, trading and transportation of Equinor's and SDFI's gas together with third-party gas. This represents approximately 70 per cent. of all Norwegian gas exports.

Other Group

NES

The NES business area reflects Equinor's aspirations to gradually complement its oil and gas portfolio with profitable renewable energy and other low-carbon energy solutions. Offshore wind, solar and carbon capture and storage have been key strategic focus areas in 2019. In 2019, Equinor participated in offshore wind and solar assets with a total capacity of 1.3 gigawatts, of which 0.75 gigawatts are operated by Equinor. Equinor equity generation capacity is 0.5 gigawatts. The equity renewable power production in 2019 was 1.8 terawatt hours.

GSB

The GSB business area is Equinor's functional centre for strategy and business development. GSB is responsible for Equinor's global strategy processes and identifies and delivers inorganic business development opportunities, including corporate mergers and acquisitions.

GSB also hosts several corporate functions, including Equinor's Corporate Sustainability function, which is shaping the company's strategic response to sustainability issues and reporting on Equinor's sustainability performance.

TPD

The TPD business area is responsible for field development, well deliveries, technology development and procurement in Equinor.

Corporate staffs and support functions

Corporate staffs and support functions comprise the non-operating activities supporting Equinor, and include head office and central functions that provide business support such as finance and control, corporate communication, safety, audit, legal services and people and leadership.

Legal Proceedings

Equinor is involved in a number of proceedings globally concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of its business. No further update is provided on previously reported legal or arbitration proceedings which Equinor does not believe will, individually or in the aggregate, have a significant effect on Equinor's financial position, profitability, results of operations or liquidity.

See also Note 9 (Income taxes) and Note 24 (Other commitments, contingent liabilities and contingent assets) to the Issuer's financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2019 (as contained in the Issuer 2019 Consolidated Financial Statements, incorporated by reference in this Offering Circular).

The Norwegian State as a Shareholder

As of 31 December 2019, the Norwegian State had a 67 per cent. direct ownership interest in the Issuer and a 3.40 per cent. indirect interest through the National Insurance Fund (Folketrygdfondet), totalling 70.40 per cent.

The Issuer has one class of shares, and each share confers one vote at the general meeting. The Norwegian State does not have any voting rights that differ from the rights of other ordinary shareholders. Pursuant to the Norwegian Public Limited Liability Companies Act, a majority of at least two-thirds of the votes cast as well as of the votes represented at a general meeting is required to amend the company's articles of association. As long as the Norwegian State owns more than one-third of the company's shares, it will be able to prevent any amendments to the company's articles of association. Since the Norwegian State, acting through the Norwegian Minister of Petroleum and Energy, has in excess of twothirds of the shares in the company, it has sole power to amend the company's articles of association. In addition, as majority shareholder, the Norwegian State has the power to control any decision at general meetings of the company's shareholders that requires a majority vote, including the election of the majority of the corporate assembly, which has the power to elect the company's board of directors and approve the dividend proposed by the board of directors.

Norwegian law contains a number of protections for minority shareholders against oppression by the majority, including but not limited to decisions in favour of certain shareholders or third parties to the detriment of other shareholders or the Issuer.

Management

The management of the Issuer is vested in its board of directors and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The CEO is responsible for the day-to-day operations in the Issuer in accordance with the instructions, policies and operating guidelines set out by the board of directors.

The business address of the directors, executive committee members and corporate assembly members is c/o Equinor at its corporate headquarters at Forusbeen 50, N-4035 Stavanger, Norway.

Board of Directors

The Issuer's directors and their position are identified below.

Name	Born	Position
Jon Erik Reinhardsen		Chair
Jeroen van der Veer		Deputy Chair
Bjørn Tore Godal		Director
(1) Hilde Møllerstad		Director
(1) Stig Lægreid		Director
Finn Bjørn Ruyter		Director
Anne Drinkwater		Director
Jonathan Lewis		Director
Wenche Agerup		Director
Rebekka Glasser Herlofsen		Director
(1) Per Martin Labråten		Director

(1) Elected by the employees.

Jon Erik Reinhardsen. Mr. Reinhardsen has been chair of the Board of Directors since 1 September 2017 and is chair of the Board of Directors' compensation and executive development committee. Mr. Reinhardsen is up for election at the Issuer's 2020 annual general meeting. Mr. Reinhardsen is a member of the board of directors of Oceaneering International, Inc., Telenor ASA and Awilhelmsen AS. Mr. Reinhardsen was the CEO of Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS) from 2008 to August 2017. In the period 2005 - 2008 Mr. Reinhardsen was President Growth, Primary Products in the international aluminium company Alcoa Inc. with headquarters in the US, and he was in this period based in New York. From 1983 to 2005, Mr. Reinhardsen held various positions in the Aker Kværner group, including Group Executive Vice President of Aker Kværner ASA, Deputy CEO and Executive Vice President of Aker Kværner Oil & Gas AS in Houston and Executive Vice President in Aker Maritime ASA. Mr. Reinhardsen has a Master's Degree in Applied Mathematics and Geophysics from the University of Bergen. He has also attended the International Executive Program at the Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Lausanne, Switzerland. Mr. Reinhardsen is a Norwegian citizen, and resident in Norway.

Jeroen van der Veer. Mr. van der Veer has been the deputy chair of the Board of Directors since 1 July 2019, a member of the Board of Directors since 18 March 2016, and is chair of the Board of Directors' audit committee as well as a member of the Board of Director's safety, sustainability and ethics committee. Mr. van der Veer is up for election at the Issuer's 2020 annual general meeting. In addition, Mr. van der Veer is the chair of the supervisory boards of Royal Philips and Royal Boskalis Westminster Groep NV, chair of the supervisory council of the Technical University of Delft and a member of the boards of Platform Talent voor Technologie and Prorsum AG. Mr. van der Veer was the CEO in the international oil and gas company Royal Dutch Shell Plc (Shell) in the period 2004 to 2009, when he retired. Mr. van der Veer thereafter continued as a non-executive director on the board of Shell until 2013. He started to work for Shell in 1971 and has experience within all sectors of the business and has significant competence within corporate governance. Mr. van der Veer has a degree in Mechanical Engineering (MSc) from Delft University of Technology, Netherlands and a degree in Economics (MSc) from Erasmus University, Rotterdam, Netherlands. Since 2005 he holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Mr. van der Veer is a Dutch citizen and resident in the Netherlands.

Bjørn Tore Godal. Mr. Godal has been a member of the Board of Directors since 1 September 2010 and is a member of the Board of Directors' compensation and executive development committee and the Board of Directors' safety, sustainability and ethics committee. Mr. Godal is up for election at the Issuer's 2020 annual general meeting. Mr. Godal was a member of the Norwegian Parliament for 15 years during the period 1986- 2001. From 2003-2007, he was Norway's ambassador to Germany and from 2002 to 2003, he was senior adviser at the department of political science at the University of Oslo. From 2007-2010, he was special adviser for international energy and climate issues at the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From 2014-2016, Mr. Godal led a governmentappointed committee responsible for the evaluation of the civil and military contribution from Norway in Afghanistan in the period 2001-2014. Mr. Godal has a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science, history and sociology from the University of Oslo. Mr. Godal is a Norwegian citizen and resident in Norway.

Hilde Møllerstad. Ms. Møllerstad has been an employee-elected member of the Board of Directors since 1 July 2019, and is a member of the Board of Directors' audit committee. Ms. Møllerstad is also currently the chair of Tekna's ethical board and a board member of Tekna Private Nomination Committee. She has been employed by Equinor since 1991 and works within petroleum technology discipline in DPI. Ms. Møllerstad has held several trust positions in Tekna Equinor since 1993 and she was a member of the corporate assembly in the Issuer from 2013 to 2019. She was a board member of Tekna Private from 2012 to 2017. She is a chartered engineer from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and Project Management Essential from Norwegian Business School BI/ Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Ms. Møllerstad is a Norwegian citizen and resident in Norway.

Wenche Agerup. Ms. Agerup has been a member of the Board of Directors since 21 August 2015. Ms. Agerup is also a member of the Board of Directors' compensation and executive development committee. Ms. Agerup is up for election at the Issuer's 2020 annual general meeting. Ms. Agerup is currently a board member in the seismic company TGS ASA. As part of her role as Senior Vice President in Group Holdings in Telenor, Ms. Agerup is a board member and chair of the board in various companies within the Telenor group. Moreover, she is Senior Vice President Group Holdings in Telenor ASA. Ms. Agerup was previously Executive Vice President (Corporate Affairs) and General Counsel of Telenor from 2015 to 2018 and Executive Vice President for Corporate Staffs and the General Counsel of Norsk Hydro ASA from 2010 to 2015. She has held various executive roles in Hydro since 1997. Ms. Agerup holds an MA in Law from the University of Oslo, Norway and a Master of Business Administration from Babson College, USA. Ms. Agerup is a Norwegian citizen, and resident in Norway.

Rebekka Glasser Herlofsen. Ms. Herlofsen has been a member of the Board of Directors since 19 March 2015 and is a member of the Board of Directors' audit committee. Ms. Herlofsen is up for election at the Issuer's 2020 annual general meeting. Ms. Herlofsen is also a member of the Board of Directors' of Norwegian Hull Club and SATS. Ms. Herlofsen has been Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in Wallenius Willhelmsen ASA since April 2017. As part of that role, she is a board member and chair of the board of various companies within the Wallenius Wilhelmsen group. Before that, from 2012, Ms. Herlofsen was the CFO in the Norwegian shipping company, Torvald Klaveness. She has previously worked for the Norwegian shipping company Bergesen d.y. ASA / BW Group. She has broad financial and strategic experience from several corporations and board directorships. Ms. Herlofsen holds a MSc in Economics and Business Administration (Siviløkonom) and Certified Financial Analyst Program from the Norwegian School of Economics, and attended the Breakthrough Program for Top Executives at IMD business school, Switzerland. Ms. Herlofsen is a Norwegian citizen, and resident in Norway.

Finn Bjørn Ruyter. Mr. Ruyter has been a member of the Board of Directors since 1 July 2019 and is a member of the Board of Directors' audit committee, and compensation and executive development committee. Mr. Ruyter is up for election at the Issuer's 2020 annual general meeting. Mr. Ruyter is also a member of the boards of Vistin Pharma ASA, Fortum Olo Varme AS, Sysco AS, Eidsiva Energi AS and several subsidiaries of Halslund E-CO AS. He has since July 2018 been CEO of Hafslund E-CO AS. He was CEO of Hafslund ASA from January 2012, and CFO in the company from 2010 to 2011. In 2009 and 2010, he was the chief operating officer of the Philippine hydro power company SN Aboitiz Power. From 1996 to 2009 he led the power trading entity and from 1999 also the energy division in Elkem. From 1991 to 1996 Ruyter worked within energy trading in Norsk Hydro. Mr. Ruyter has a Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Norwegian University of Technology and an MBA from BI Norwegian School of Management. Mr. Ruyter is a Norwegian citizen and resident in Norway.

Stig Lægreid. Mr. Lægreid has been an employee-elected member of the Board of Directors since 1 July 2013. Mr. Lægreid is also a member of the Board of Directors' safety, sustainability and ethics committee. Mr. Lægreid has been employed in ÅSV and Norsk Hydro since 1985, mainly occupied as project engineer and constructor for production of primary metals until 2005 and from 2005 as weight estimator for platform design. He is now a full-time employee representative as the leader of the union NITO, Equinor. Mr. Lægreid holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical construction from Oslo college of engineering (Oslo Ingeniørhøyskole). Mr. Lægreid is a Norwegian citizen, and resident in Norway.

Per Martin Labråten. Mr. Labråten has been an employee-elected member of the Board of Directors since 8 June 2017. Mr. Labråten is also a member of the Board of Directors' safety, sustainability and ethics committee. In addition, Mr. Labråten is a member of the executive committee of the Industry Energy trade union and holds a number of positions as a result of this. Mr. Labråten has worked as a process technician at the petrochemical plant on Oseberg field in the North Sea. Mr. Labråten is now a full-time employee representative as the leader of IE Equinor branch. Mr. Labråten has a craft certificate as a process/chemistry worker. Mr. Labråten is a Norwegian citizen and resident in Norway.

Anne Drinkwater. Ms. Drinkwater has been a member of the Board of Directors since 1 July 2018 and is a member of the Board of Directors' audit committee and safety, sustainability and ethics committee. Ms. Drinkwater is up for election at the Issuer's 2020 annual general meeting. Ms. Drinkwater is also a member of the board of Balfour Beatty plc. Ms. Drinkwater was employed with BP in the period from 1978 to 2012, holding a number of different leadership positions in the company. In the period from 2009 to 2012, she was CEO of BP Canada. She has extensive international experience, including being responsible for operations in the US, Norway, Indonesia, the Middle East and Africa. Ms. Drinkwater has a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Brunel University London. She is a British citizen, and resident in the United States.

Jonathan Lewis. Mr. Lewis has been a member of the Board of Directors since 1 July 2018 and is a member of the Board of Directors' compensation and executive development committee and the safety, sustainability and ethics committee. Mr. Lewis is up for election at the Issuer's 2020 annual general meeting. Mr. Lewis is a member of the board of Capita plc. Mr. Lewis joined as CEO to Capita plc in December 2017, having previously spent 30 years working for large multi-national companies in technology-enabled industries. Lewis has previously held several directorships within technology and the oil and gas industry. Mr. Lewis has an education from Stanford Executive Program (SEP) from Stanford University Graduate School of Business, a PhD, Reservoir Characterisation, Geology/Sedimentology from University of Reading as well as a Bachelor of Science, Geology from Kingston University. He is a British citizen, and resident in the UK.

Executive Committee

The president and CEO has overall responsibility for the day-to-day operations of Equinor. The president and CEO is responsible for developing Equinor's business strategy and presenting it to the board of directors for decision, for development and execution of the business strategy.

The president and CEO appoints the corporate executive committee (CEC). Members of the CEC have a collective duty to safeguard and promote the corporate interests of Equinor and to provide the president and CEO with the best possible basis for setting the Group's direction, making decisions and ensuring execution and follow-up of business activities. In addition, each of the CEC members heads separate business areas or staff functions.

The members of the executive committee, year of birth and position are identified below:

Name	Born	Position
Eldar Sætre	1956	President and Chief Executive Officer
Lars Christian Bacher	1964	Executive Vice President and Chief

Name	Born	Position
		Financial Officer
Jannicke Nilsson	1965	Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Torgrim Reitan	1969	Executive Vice President, Development & Production International
Margareth Øvrum.	1958	Executive Vice President, Development & Production Brazil
Al Cook	1975	Executive Vice President, Global Strategy & Business Development
Tim Dodson	1959	Executive Vice President, Exploration
Anders Opedal	1968	Executive Vice President, Technology, Projects & Drilling
Arne Sigve Nylund	1960	Executive Vice President, Development & Production Norway
Irene Rummelhoff	1967	Executive Vice President, Marketing, Midstream & Processing
Jens O Økland	1969	Executive Vice President, New Energy Solutions (Temporary)

From 1 June 2020, Tim Dodson will step down as Executive Vice President, Exploration, a role he has held since 2011, and take on the role of Vice President, Strategy Execution in GSB. Tore Løseth has been appointed acting Executive Vice President, Exploration from such date and will join the CEC in this capacity.

Corporate Assembly

Pursuant to the Norwegian Public Limited Liability Companies Act, companies with more than 200 employees must elect a corporate assembly unless otherwise agreed between the Issuer and a majority of its employees.

In accordance with the Issuer's articles of association, the corporate assembly normally consists of 18 members, 12 of whom (with four deputy members) are nominated by the nomination committee and elected by the Issuer's annual general meeting. Six members, with deputy members, and three observers are elected by and among the employees. An election of the employee representatives to the corporate assembly was held in April 2019 and new shareholder-elected members will be appointed from 14 May 2020. The corporate assembly elects its own chair and deputy chair from and among its members.

The responsibilities of the corporate assembly include electing the board of directors and the chair of the board, overseeing the board and CEO's management of the Issuer, making decisions on investments of considerable magnitude in relation to the Issuer's resources and making decisions involving the rationalisation or reorganisation of operations that will entail major changes in or reallocation of the workforce.

The duties of the corporate assembly are defined in section 6-37 of the Norwegian Public Limited Liability Companies Act.

Members of the corporate assembly:

Name	Position
Tone Lunde Bakker	Chair, shareholder-elected member	2014 (Chair since 2016)
Nils Bastiansen	Deputy Chair, shareholder-elected member	2016
Greger Mannsverk	Member, shareholder-elected	2002
Ingvald Strømmen	Member, shareholder-elected	2006
Rune Bjerke	Member, shareholder-elected	2007
Finn Kinserdal	Member, shareholder-elected	2018
Siri Kalvig	Member, shareholder-elected	2010
Terje Venold	Member, shareholder-elected	2014
Kjersti Kleven	Member, shareholder-elected	2014
Birgitte Ringstad Vartdal	Member, shareholder-elected	2016
Jarle Roth	Member, shareholder-elected	2016
Kari Skeidsvoll Moe	Member, shareholder-elected	2018
Terje Enes	Member, employee-elected	2017
Lars Olav Grøvik	Member, employee-elected	2017
Per Helge Ødegård	Observer, employee-elected	1994
Sun Maria Lehman	Member, employee-elected	2015 (Member since 2019)
Oddvar Karlsen	Member, employee-elected	2019
Berit Søgnen Sandven	Member, employee-elected	2019
Frode Mikkelsen	Member, employee-elected	2019
Peter B. Sabel	Observer, employee-elected	2019
Anne Kristi Horneland	Observer, employee-elected	2006 (Observer since 2019)

An election of new shareholder-elected members of the corporate assembly will be held at the Issuer's 2020 annual general meeting on 14 May 2020. Tone Lunde Bakker, Nils Bastiansen, Greger Mannsverk, Terje Venold, Kjersti Kleven, Finn Kinserdal, Jarle Roth and Kari Skeidsvoll Moe have been nominated by the nomination committee of the Issuer to be re-elected as members until the annual general meeting in 2022, while Kjerstin Fyllingen, Kjerstin Rasmussen Braathen, Mari Rege and Brynjar Kristian Forbergskog have been nominated as new shareholder-elected members.

All members of the corporate assembly live in Norway. Members of the corporate assembly do not have service contracts with the Issuer or its subsidiaries providing for benefits upon termination of office.

Potential Conflicts of Interest

There are no potential conflicts of interest of the duties owed to the Issuer or Equinor by the directors, members of the executive committee or members of the corporate assembly and their private interests and/or other duties.

Management of the Guarantor

Board of Directors and Management

Lars Christian Bacher	Chairman	Executive Vice President and CFO
Metter Ferkingstad	Board Member	Vice President DPN Finance & Control
Kjell Byberg	Board Member and General Manager	Controller, Finance & Control
Geir Aalhus	Board Member	Manager, Tax
Siv Helen Rygh Torstensen	Board Member	General Counsel

There are no conflicts of interest between the duties of the persons listed above to the Guarantor and their private interests or other duties.

The business address of the directors and management of the Guarantor is c/o Equinor Energy AS at Forusbeen 50, N-4035 Stavanger, Norway.

Equinor has adopted corporate governance policies, which apply to all of its subsidiaries, including Equinor Energy, which comply with all applicable corporate governance regulations.

Recent Developments

In addition to the developments described in Note 9 (Subsequent Events) to the Q1 Financial Statements, the following events constitute certain recent developments in relation to Equinor since 31 December 2019.

Equinor continues to monitor the impact of Covid-19 on its operations. Deferral of production to create future value, production cuts, gas off-take, timing of new capacity coming on stream, operational regularity, the impact of Covid-19, activity level in Equinor's US onshore portfolio, as well as uncertainty around the closing of any of its announced transactions represent the most significant risks related to its published production guidance in the Q1 2020 Results. Due to market uncertainties, government-imposed production curtailments and Equinor's value over volume approach, Equinor has suspended further production guidance for 2020.

There has been considerable uncertainty created by the Covid-19 pandemic and Equinor is unable to predict the impact of this event. Equinor's future financial performance, including cash flow and liquidity, will be impacted by the extent and duration of the current market conditions, the development in realised prices, including price differentials and the effectiveness of actions taken in response to the pandemic. Equinor cannot predict how long current supply and demand imbalances will last or what the ultimate impact of Covid-19 will be on general economic conditions worldwide.

In addition, the considerable decline in oil prices during the first quarter of 2020, triggered among other factors by lower demand due to the Covid-19 pandemic, significantly impacts the energy industry and Equinor. For instance, as a consequence of the imbalances in the oil market and the significant oil price decline in 2020, OPEC has announced production cuts which started on 1 May 2020. Equinor has some of its oil production activities in countries affected by OPEC's announcement, which may impact the level and timing of its future production. In Norway, where Equinor has production on the NCS, the Norwegian government has also announced unilateral oil production cuts. The impact for Equinor of the world-wide announced oil production cut measures cannot be clearly determined at this time.

See also the Q1 2020 Results, including Note 8 (Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and oil price decline) and Note 9 (Subsequent Events) to the Q1 2020 Financial Statements, and the risk factors entitled "Fluctuating prices of oil and/or natural gas impact Equinor's financial performance" and "The Covid-19 pandemic could affect demand for, and supply of, oil and gas, commodity prices and Equinor's ability to operate its facilities effectively".

On 6 February 2020, Equinor launched a new climate roadmap (the Equinor Climate Roadmap) at the Capital Markets Update. The new Equinor Climate Roadmap presents a series of short-, mid- and long-term ambitions to reduce Equinor's own greenhouse gas emissions and to shape its portfolio. Equinor aims to:

reduce the net carbon intensity, from initial production to final consumption, of energy produced by at least 50 per cent. by 2050;
grow renewable energy capacity tenfold by 2026, developing as a global offshore wind major; and
strengthen its industry leading position on carbon efficient production, aiming to reach carbon neutral global operations by 2030.

Equinor expects to meet the net carbon intensity ambition primarily through significant growth in renewables and changes in the scale and composition of its oil and gas portfolio. In addition, operational efficiency and further development of new businesses such as carbon capture, utilisation and storage and hydrogen are expected to be important. Equinor may also use recognised offset mechanisms and natural sinks as a supplement.

To reach carbon neutral global operations, the main priority will be to reduce GHG emissions from Equinor's own operations. Remaining emissions are expected to be compensated either through quota trading systems, such as the European Union Emissions Trading System, or high quality offset mechanisms.

Ultimately, to achieve these ambitions, Equinor needs to strengthen its collaboration with governments, customers and industry sectors to speed up the pace of the transition and deliver solutions at scale.

TAXATION

Norway

The following summary is based on current Norwegian law and practice, which is subject to changes that could prospectively or retrospectively modify or adversely affect the stated tax consequence. Prospective purchasers of Notes should consult their own professional advisers as to their respective tax positions.

Payments made by the Issuer under Notes to persons who are not Norwegian residents for tax purposes (Non-residents), whether in respect of principal or interest on Notes, are not subject to any tax imposed by Norway or any political subdivision thereof or therein except for payments attributable to such a person's branch, permanent establishment or operation in Norway that may be subject to tax imposed by Norway or any political subdivision thereof or therein.

In the event that any withholding is subsequently imposed with respect to any such payment as described in "Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes – Taxation" or "Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes – Taxation", the Issuer will (subject to certain exceptions and limitations) pay such additional amounts under the Notes as will result (after deduction of said withholding tax) in the payment of the amounts which would otherwise have been payable in respect of such Notes had there been no such withholding tax. In February 2020, the Norwegian Ministry of Finance issued a consultation paper relating to withholding tax on interest payments from Norwegian sources. According to the consultation paper, it is proposed to introduce a standard 15 per cent. withholding tax on interest payments, but only to related parties resident in low tax jurisdictions. The new rules are proposed to be introduced with effect from 1 January 2021.

In addition, no income, capital gains, transfer or similar tax is currently imposed by Norway or any political subdivision thereof or therein on a Non-resident's sale, redemption or other disposition of Notes, except for payments attributable to a Non-resident's branch, permanent establishment or operation in Norway that may be subject to tax imposed by Norway or any political subdivision thereof or therein.

The proposed financial transactions tax (FTT)

On 14 February 2013, the European Commission published a proposal (the Commission's Proposal) for a Directive for a common FTT in Belgium, Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Austria, Portugal, Slovenia and Slovakia (the participating Member States) and Estonia. However, Estonia has since stated that it will not participate.

The Commission's Proposal has very broad scope and could, if introduced in its current form, apply to certain dealings in the Notes (including secondary market transactions) in certain circumstances. Primary market transactions referred to in Article 5(c) of Regulation (EC) No. 1287/2006 are expected to be exempt.

Under the Commission's Proposal the FTT could apply in certain circumstances to persons both within and outside of the participating Member States. Generally, it would apply to certain dealings in the Notes where at least one party is a financial institution, and at least one party is established in a participating Member State. A financial institution may be, or be deemed to be, "established" in a participating Member State in a broad range of circumstances, including (a) by transacting with a person established in a participating Member State or (b) where the financial instrument which is subject to the dealings is issued in a participating Member State.

The Commission's Proposal remains subject to negotiation between participating Member States. It may therefore be altered prior to any implementation, the timing of which remains unclear. Additional EU Member States may decide to participate and/or certain of the participating Member States may decide to withdraw.

Prospective holders of the Notes are advised to seek their own professional advice in relation to the FTT.

United States Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act Withholding

Pursuant to certain provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, commonly known as FATCA, a foreign financial institution (as defined by FATCA) may be required to withhold on certain payments it makes (foreign passthru payments) to persons that fail to meet certain certification, reporting or related requirements. Although the Issuer is continuing to evaluate its status under FATCA, the Issuer is currently registered as a foreign financial institution for these purposes. A number of jurisdictions (including Norway) have entered into, or have agreed in substance to, intergovernmental agreements with the United States to implement FATCA (IGAs), which modify the way in which FATCA applies in their jurisdictions. Under the provisions of IGAs as currently in effect, a foreign financial institution in an IGA jurisdiction would generally not be required to withhold under FATCA or an IGA from payments that it makes. Certain aspects of the application of the FATCA provisions and IGAs to instruments such as Notes, are uncertain and may be subject to change. Even if withholding would be required pursuant to FATCA or an IGA with respect to payments on instruments such as Notes, such withholding would not apply prior to the date that is two years after the date on which final regulations defining foreign passthru payments are published in the U.S. Federal Register. Additionally, Notes characterised as debt (or which are not otherwise characterised as equity and have a fixed term) for U.S. federal tax purposes that are issued on or prior to the date that is six months after the date on which final regulations defining foreign passthru payments are published generally would be grandfathered for purposes of FATCA withholding unless materially modified after such date. However, if additional Notes (as described under "Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes - Further Issues" and "Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes - Further Issues") that are not distinguishable from previously issued Notes are issued after the expiration of the grandfathering period and are subject to withholding under FATCA, then withholding agents may treat all Notes, including the Notes offered prior to the expiration of the grandfathering period, as subject to withholding under FATCA. Furthermore, as discussed above in "Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes — Substitution" and "Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes — Substitution", the Issuer may be substituted in the future by a different obligor under the Notes. In such a case, the Notes may be deemed to be newly issued for purposes of the FATCA effective date described above, and payments on the Notes may no longer be subject to the IGA described above. Holders should consult their own tax advisers regarding how these rules may apply to their investment in Notes.

SUBSCRIPTION AND SALE

A13.4.14(A)

The Dealers have in an amended and restated programme agreement (such programme agreement as modified and/or supplemented and/or restated from time to time, the Programme Agreement) dated 13 May 2020 agreed with the Issuer a basis upon which they or any of them may from time to time agree to subscribe Notes. Any such agreement will extend to those matters stated under "Form of the Notes", "Terms and Conditions of the Notes other than VPS Notes" and "Terms and Conditions of the VPS Notes" above. In the Programme Agreement, the Issuer, failing which, the Guarantor, (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) has agreed to reimburse the Dealers for certain of their expenses in connection with the establishment of the Programme and the issue of Notes under the Programme.

United States

The Notes have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons except in certain transactions exempt from or not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Terms used in this paragraph have the meanings given to them by Regulation S under the Securities Act.

The Notes are subject to U.S. tax law requirements and may not be offered, sold or delivered within the United States or its possessions or to a United States person, except in certain transactions permitted by U.S. Treasury regulations. Terms used in this paragraph have the meanings given to them by the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder. The applicable Final Terms will identify whether TEFRA C rules or TEFRA D rules apply or whether TEFRA is not applicable.

Each Dealer has represented and agreed, and each further Dealer appointed under the Programme will be required to represent and agree, that it will not offer, sell or deliver Notes (i) as part of their distribution at any time or (ii) otherwise until 40 days after the completion of the distribution, as determined and certified by the relevant Dealer or, in the case of an issue of Notes on a syndicated basis, the relevant lead manager, of all Notes of the Tranche of which such Notes are a part, within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons. Each Dealer has further agreed, and each further Dealer appointed under the Programme will be required to agree, that at or prior to confirmation of sale of the Notes, it will send to each dealer to which it sells any Notes during the distribution compliance period a confirmation or other notice setting forth the restrictions on offers and sales of the Notes within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons. Terms used in this paragraph have the meanings given to them by Regulation S under the Securities Act.

Until 40 days after the completion of the distribution of any series of Notes, an offer or sale of such Notes to or for the account of a United States Person or within the United States by any dealer (whether or not participating in the offering) may violate the registration requirements of the Securities Act if such offer or sale is made otherwise than in accordance with an available exemption from registration under the Securities Act.

Prohibition of sales to EEA and UK Retail Investors

Unless the Final Terms in respect of any Notes specifies "Prohibition of Sales to EEA and UK Retail Investors" as "Not Applicable", each Dealer has represented and agreed, and each further Dealer appointed under the Programme will be required to represent and agree, that it has not offered, sold or otherwise made available and will not offer, sell or otherwise make available any Notes which are the subject of the offering contemplated by the Offering Circular as completed by the Final Terms in relation thereto to any retail investor in the EEA or in the UK. For the purposes of this provision:

(a) the expression retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of the following:
- (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or
- (ii) a customer within the meaning of the Insurance Distribution Directive, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or
- (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Regulation; and
(b) the expression an offer includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the Notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the Notes.

If the Final Terms in respect of any Notes specifies "Prohibition of Sales to EEA and UK Retail Investors" as "Not Applicable", in relation to each Member State of the EEA and the UK (each a Relevant State), each Dealer has represented and agreed, and each further Dealer appointed under the Programme will be required to represent and agree, that it has not made and will not make an offer of Notes which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this Offering Circular as completed by the final terms in relation thereto to the public in that Relevant State except that it may make an offer of such Notes to the public in that Relevant State:

(a) at any time to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Regulation; or
(b) at any time to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Regulation) subject to obtaining the prior consent of the relevant Dealer or Dealers nominated by the Issuer for any such offer; or
(c) at any time in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation,

provided that no such offer of Notes referred to in (a) to (c) above shall require the Issuer or any Dealer to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the Prospectus Regulation.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an offer of Notes to the public in relation to any Notes in any Relevant State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the Notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the Notes and the expression Prospectus Regulation means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.

United Kingdom

Each Dealer has represented and agreed, and each further Dealer appointed under the Programme will be required to represent and agree, that:

(a) in relation to any Notes which have a maturity of less than one year, (i) it is a person whose ordinary activities involve it in acquiring, holding, managing or disposing of investments (as principal or agent) for the purposes of its business and (ii) it has not offered or sold and will not offer or sell any Notes other than to persons whose ordinary activities involve them in acquiring, holding, managing or disposing of investments (as principal or as agent) for the purposes of their businesses or who it is reasonable to expect will acquire, hold, manage or dispose of investments (as principal or agent) for the purposes of their businesses where the issue of the Notes would otherwise constitute a contravention of Section 19 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA) by the Issuer;
(b) it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of any Notes in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to the Issuer or the Guarantor; and
(c) it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to any Notes in, from or otherwise involving the UK.

Switzerland

The Notes may not be publicly offered, sold or advertised, directly or indirectly, in, into or from Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange or on any other exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this Offering Circular nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the Notes constitutes a prospectus as such term is understood pursuant to article 652a or article 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or a listing prospectus within the meaning of the listing rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange or any other regulated trading facility in Switzerland or a simplified prospectus or a prospectus as such term is defined in the Swiss Collective Investment Scheme Act, and neither this Offering Circular nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the Notes may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

Japan

The Notes have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act of Japan (Act No. 25 of 1948, as amended; the FIEA) and each Dealer has represented and agreed, and each further Dealer appointed under the Programme will be required to represent and agree, that it will not offer or sell any Notes, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (as defined under Item 5, Paragraph 1, Article 6 of the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act (Act No. 228 of 1949, as amended)), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, a resident of Japan except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the FIEA and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.

Norway

Each Dealer has represented and agreed, and each further Dealer appointed under the Programme will be required to represent and agree, that, unless the Issuer has confirmed in writing to each Dealer that the Offering Circular has been filed with and approved by the Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway, it has not, directly or indirectly, offered or sold and will not directly or indirectly, offer or sell any Notes in Norway or to residents of Norway, other than:

(a) in respect of an offer of Notes addressed to investors subject to a minimum purchase of Notes for a total consideration of not less than €100,000 per investor, pursuant to Article 1(4)(c) of the Prospectus Regulation, as incorporated into Norwegian law pursuant to Section 7-1 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act of 29 June 2007 No. 75. (the Securities Trading Act); or
(b) to "qualified investors" as defined in Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation, pursuant to Article 1(4)(a) of the Prospectus Regulation, as incorporated into Norwegian law pursuant to Section 7-1 of the Securities Trading Act; or
(c) to, when aggregated with such offer or sale of any Notes in the same offering by any other Dealer, fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than "qualified investors" as defined in Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation) pursuant to Article 1(4)(b) of the Prospectus Regulation, as incorporated into Norwegian law pursuant to Section 7-1 in the Securities Trading Act, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the relevant Dealer or Dealers for any such offer; or
(d) in any other circumstances provided that no such offer of Notes shall result in a requirement for the registration or the publication by the Issuer or the Dealer or Dealers of a prospectus pursuant to Article 1(4) and (6) of the Prospectus Regulation, as incorporated into Norwegian law pursuant to Section 7-1 of the Securities Trading Act.

The Notes shall be registered in accordance with section 3-1 of the Norwegian Securities Depository Act of 15 March 2019 no. 6 in a securities depository approved or acknowledged under the CSD Regulation which, unless otherwise specified in the applicable Final Terms, will be the VPS unless (i) the Notes are denominated in NOK, issued outside of Norway and reserved for and only sold and offered to non-Norwegian residents and entities, or (ii) denominated in a currency other than Norwegian kroner and issued outside of Norway.

France

The Issuer, the Guarantor and each Dealer has represented and agreed that it has not offered or sold and will not offer or sell, directly or indirectly, Notes to the public in France, and it has not distributed or caused to be distributed and will not distribute or cause to be distributed to the public in France, this Offering Circular, the applicable Final Terms or any other offering material relating to the Notes and that such offers, sales and distributions have been and will be made in France only to (i) providers of investment services relating to portfolio management for the account of third parties (personnes fournissant le service d'investissement de gestion de portefeuille pour compte de tiers), and/or (ii) qualified investors (investisseurs qualifiés), other than individuals, investing for their own account, all as defined in, and in accordance with, Articles L.411-1, L.411-2, D.411-1 and D.411-4 of the French Code monétaire et financier. This Offering Circular has not been submitted to the clearance procedures of the French Autorité des marchés financiers.

Belgium

Other than in respect of Notes for which "Prohibition of Sales to Belgian Consumers" is specified as "Not Applicable" in the applicable Final Terms, each Dealer has represented and agreed, and each further Dealer appointed under the Programme will be required to represent and agree, that an offering of Notes may not be advertised to any individual in Belgium qualifying as a consumer within the meaning of Article I.1 of the Belgian Code of Economic Law, as amended from time to time (a Belgian Consumer) and that it has not offered, sold or resold, transferred or delivered, and will not offer, sell, resell, transfer or deliver, the Notes, and that it has not distributed, and will not distribute, any prospectus, memorandum, information circular, brochure or any similar documents in relation to the Notes, directly or indirectly, to any Belgian Consumer.

Singapore

Each Dealer has acknowledged, and each further Dealer appointed under the Programme will be required to acknowledge, that this Offering Circular has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (the MAS). Accordingly, each Dealer has represented, warranted and agreed, and each further Dealer appointed under the Programme will be required to represent, warrant and agree, that it has not offered or sold any Notes or caused the Notes to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase and will not offer or sell any Notes or cause the Notes to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, and has not circulated or distributed, nor will it circulate or distribute, this Offering Circular or any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the Notes, whether directly or indirectly, to any person in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor (as defined in Section 4A of the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289) of Singapore, as modified from time to time (the SFA)) pursuant to Section 274 of the SFA, (ii) to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA) pursuant to Section 275(1) of the SFA, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA and (where applicable) Regulation 3 of the Securities and Futures (Classes of Investors) Regulations 2018, or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Where the Notes are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:

(a) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or
(b) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor,

securities or securities-based derivative contracts (each term as defined in Section 2(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries' rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the Notes pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:

(i) to an institutional investor or to a relevant person or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA;
(ii) where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer;
(iii) where the transfer is by operation of law;
(iv) as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or

(v) as specified in Regulation 37A of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Securities and Securities-based Derivatives Contracts) Regulations 2018 of Singapore.

Notification under Section 309B(1)(c) of the SFA – Unless otherwise stated in the Final Terms in respect of any Notes, all Notes issued or to be issued under the Programme shall be "prescribed capital markets products" (as defined in the Securities and Futures (Capital Markets Products) Regulations 2018 of Singapore) and Excluded Investment Products (as defined in MAS Notice SFA 04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and MAS Notice FAA-N16: Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products).

General

Each Dealer has agreed, and each further Dealer appointed under the Programme will be required to agree, that it will (to the best of its knowledge and belief) comply with all applicable securities laws and regulations in force in any jurisdiction in which it purchases, offers, sells or delivers Notes or possesses or distributes this Offering Circular and will obtain any consent, approval or permission required by it for the purchase, offer, sale or delivery by it of Notes under the laws and regulations in force in any jurisdiction to which it is subject or in which it makes such purchases, offers, sales or deliveries and neither the Issuer, the Guarantor (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) nor any other Dealer shall have any responsibility therefor.

Without prejudice to the obligations of the Dealers set out above, none of the Issuer, the Guarantor (in the case of Notes having the benefit of the Guarantee) and the Dealers represents that Notes may at any time lawfully be sold in compliance with any applicable registration or other requirements in any jurisdiction, or pursuant to any exemption available thereunder, or assumes any responsibility for facilitating such sale.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Authorisation

The update of the Programme and the issue of Notes have been duly authorised by resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Issuer dated 6 May 2020, and the giving of the Guarantee has been duly authorised by a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Guarantor dated 5 February 2020.

Listing of Notes

The admission of Notes to the Official List will be expressed as a percentage of their nominal amount (excluding accrued interest). It is expected that each Tranche of Notes which is to be admitted to the Official List and admitted to trading on the London Stock Exchange's regulated market will be admitted separately as and when issued, subject only to the issue of a Temporary Global Note initially representing the Notes of such Tranche. Application has been made to the FCA for Notes issued under the Programme to be admitted to the Official List and to the London Stock Exchange for such Notes to be admitted to trading on the London Stock Exchange's regulated market. The listing of the Programme in respect of Notes is expected to be granted on or about 18 May 2020.

In the case of VPS Notes, application will be made to the Oslo Børs for such VPS Notes to be admitted to trading on the Oslo Børs's regulated market.

Documents Available

For the period of 12 months following the date of this Offering Circular, copies of the following documents will, when published, be available from the website of the Issuer (https://www.equinor.com/en/investors.html):

A9.14 A6.4.1

A13.4.12(C)

A13.5.1(i)(B) A13.5.1(ii)(C) A21

A9.11.3.3 A9.11.4.1

(i) the constitutional documents (with a direct and accurate English translation thereof) of each of the Issuer and the Guarantor;
(ii) the reports of the auditors and the Issuer 2019 Consolidated Financial Statements contained on pages 147 to 224 (inclusive) of the 2019 Annual Report, which were prepared under IFRS as issued by the IASB and IFRS as adopted by the EU;
(iii) the management's report and the auditor's report on the Issuer's internal control over financial reporting as at 31 December 2019 contained on pages 125 and 151 to 152 (inclusive), respectively, of the 2019 Annual Report;
(iv) the Q1 2020 Results, which contains the Q1 2020 Financial Statements that were prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 Interim Financial Reporting as issued by the IASB and as adopted by the EU;
(v) the reports of the auditors and the non-consolidated audited annual financial statements for the financial years ended 31 December 2019 and 31 December 2018 of the Guarantor contained on pages 17 to 51 (inclusive) of the Guarantor's statutory report for the year ended 31 December 2019 and on pages 15 to 44 (inclusive) of the Guarantor's statutory report for the year ended 31 December 2018, which were prepared in accordance with the Norwegian Accounting Act and accounting standards and practices generally accepted in Norway;
(vi) the Agency Agreement, the VPS Trustee Agreement, the VPS Agency Agreement, the Guarantee, the form of the Temporary Global Notes, the form of the Permanent Global Notes, the form of the definitive Notes and the Coupons, the Talons and the Deed of Covenant;
(vii) a copy of this Offering Circular; and
(viii) any future offering circulars, prospectuses, information memoranda, supplements and Final Terms (save that a Final Terms relating to a Note will only be available for inspection by a holder of such Note and such holder must produce evidence satisfactory to the Issuer or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, as to the identity of such holder) to this Offering Circular and any other documents incorporated herein or therein by reference.

Clearing Systems

The Notes have been accepted for clearance through Euroclear, Clearstream, Luxembourg and VPS (which are the entities in charge of keeping the records). The appropriate Common Code and International Securities Identification Number for each Tranche allocated by Euroclear, Clearstream, Luxembourg and/or VPS will be specified in the applicable Final Terms. If the Notes are to clear through an additional or alternative clearing system the appropriate information will be specified in the applicable Final Terms.

The address of Euroclear is Euroclear Bank SA/NV, 1 Boulevard du Roi Albert II, B-1210 Brussels and the address of Clearstream, Luxembourg is Clearstream, Luxembourg, 42 Avenue JF Kennedy, L-1855 Luxembourg. The address of the VPS is Fred, Olsens gate 1, N-0152 Oslo.

Conditions for Determining Price

The price and amount of Notes to be issued under the Programme will be determined by the Issuer and each relevant Dealer at the time of issue in accordance with prevailing market conditions.

Significant or Material Change

Except as disclosed in the section entitled "Equinor – Recent Developments", there has been (i) no significant change in the financial performance or financial position of the Issuer and its subsidiaries (taken as a whole) since 31 March 2020, or the Guarantor and its subsidiaries (taken as a whole) since 31 December 2019 and (ii) no material adverse change in the prospects of the Issuer or the Guarantor since 31 December 2019.

A9.7.1 A9.11.6

A13.4.4(ii)(C)

A9.11.5

Litigation

There are no, nor have there been any, governmental, legal or arbitration proceedings (including any such proceedings which are pending or threatened of which either the Issuer or the Guarantor is aware) in the past 12 months which may have or have in such period had a significant effect on the financial position or profitability of the Issuer, the Guarantor, the Issuer and its subsidiaries (taken as a whole) or the Guarantor and its subsidiaries (taken as a whole).

Material Contracts

None of the Issuer nor the Guarantor nor any other member of the Group has entered into any material contract outside of the context of the main business of the Group that may have a material impact on the ability of the Group to meet its obligations in respect of the Notes.

A9.2.1 A9.11.3.1

Independent Auditors

The auditor of the Issuer and the Guarantor is Ernst & Young AS (EY) for the year ended 31 December 2019. The auditor of the Issuer and the Guarantor was KPMG AS (KPMG) for the year ended 31 December 2018. On 15 May 2019, the general meeting of shareholders appointed EY as Equinor's auditor, thereby replacing KPMG.

The Issuer 2019 Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB and IFRS as adopted by the EU and were audited in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), for the years ended 31 December 2019 by EY and 31 December 2018 by KPMG.

In addition, EY audited in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) the management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting of the Issuer as of 31 December 2019.

The financial statements of the Guarantor have been prepared in accordance with the Norwegian Accounting Act and accounting standards and practices generally accepted in Norway and were audited, in accordance with laws, regulations and auditing standards and practices generally accepted in Norway, including International Standards on Auditing, for the years ended 31 December 2019 by EY and 31 December 2018 by KPMG.

Post-Issuance Information

The Issuer does not intend to provide any post-issuance information in relation to any issues of Notes.

Indicative Yield for Fixed Rate Notes

In relation to any Tranche of Fixed Rate Notes, an indication of the yield in respect of such Notes will be specified in the applicable Final Terms. The yield is calculated at the Issue Date of the Notes on the basis of the relevant Issue Price. The yield indicated will be calculated as the yield to maturity as at the Issue Date of the Notes and will not be an indication of future yield.

Dealers transacting with the Issuer and Guarantor

Certain of the Dealers and their affiliates have engaged, and may in the future engage, in investment banking and/or commercial banking transactions with, and may perform other services for, the Issuer and the Guarantor and their respective affiliates in the ordinary course of business. In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the Dealers and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of the Issuer or Guarantor or each of their affiliates. Certain of the Dealers or their affiliates that have a lending relationship with the Issuer or Guarantor routinely hedge their credit exposure to the Issuer or Guarantor consistent with their customary risk management policies. Typically, such Dealers and their affiliates would hedge such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in securities, including potentially the Notes issued under the Programme. Any such short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of Notes issued under the Programme. The Dealers and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

THE ISSUER

Registered Office

Equinor ASA

Forusbeen 50 N-4035 Stavanger Norway

THE GUARANTOR

Equinor Energy AS Forusbeen 50 N-4035 Stavanger Norway

ISSUING AND PRINCIPAL PAYING AGENT

The Bank of New York Mellon

One Canada Square London E14 5AL United Kingdom

PAYING AGENT

The Bank of New York Mellon SA/NV, Luxembourg Branch

Vertigo Building – Polaris 2-4 rue, Eugène Ruppert L-2453 Luxembourg

VPS AGENT

DNB Bank ASA, Verdipapirservice Dronning Eufemias gate 30

P.O. Box 1600 Sentrum 0021 Oslo Norway

VPS TRUSTEE

Nordic Trustee AS

Kronprinsesse Märthas plass 1 0160 Oslo Norway

LEGAL ADVISERS

To the Issuer

as to Norwegian law

Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS Haakon VIIs gate 10 N-0116 Oslo Norway

as to English law

A9.1.1

A13.5.2(C)

A13.7.1(C)

Sullivan & Cromwell LLP 1 New Fetter Lane London EC4A 1AN

United Kingdom

To the Dealers

as to Norwegian law as to English law

P.O. Box 1513 Vika London E1 6AD Norway

Wikborg Rein Allen & Overy LLP Advokatfirma AS One Bishops Square N-0117 Oslo United Kingdom

A9.2.1

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

Ernst & Young AS Postboks 8015 4068 Stavanger Norway

ARRANGER BNP PARIBAS

16, boulevard des Italiens 75009 Paris France

DEALERS

Barclays Bank Ireland PLC Barclays Bank PLC

One Molesworth Street 5 The North Colonnade

BNP PARIBAS

16, boulevard des Italiens

Citigroup Global Markets

Limited United Kingdom

8 Canada Square 25 Bank Street London E14 5HQ Canary Wharf United Kingdom London E14 5JP

Dublin 2 Canary Wharf DO2RF29 London E14 4BB Ireland United Kingdom

Citigroup Global Markets

Europe AG 75009 Paris Frankfurter Welle France Reuterweg 16 60323 Frankfurt am Main Germany

Deutsche Bank AG,

London Branch Citigroup Centre Winchester House Canada Square 1 Great Winchester Street Canary Wharf London EC2N 2DB London E14 5LB United Kingdom

HSBC Bank plc J.P. Morgan Securities plc

United Kingdom

Nordea Bank Abp

Satamarandakatu 5 00020 Nordea Helsinki Finland

AI Terminal

Equinor

3597_prs_2020-05-18_aa43cbd9-332e-441b-a947-4f13668d7ee0.pdf

Equinor ASA

Equinor Energy AS

€20,000,000,000 Euro Medium Term Note Programme

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROGRAMME

RISK FACTORS

Risks related to Equinor's business, strategy and operations

Changes in physical climate parameters could impact Equinor's operations.

Equinor is exposed to risks as a result of its use of hydraulic fracturing.

Equinor is exposed to security threats that could have a material adverse effect on Equinor's results of operations and financial condition.

Equinor may not be able to secure the right level of workforce competence and capacity, which could have an adverse effect on Equinor's business and prospects.

Equinor's insurance coverage may not provide adequate protection from losses.

Legal, regulatory and compliance risks

Policies and actions of the Norwegian State could affect Equinor's business.

Equinor's business is exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations that could adversely affect the results of Equinor's operations.

Equinor is exposed to liquidity and interest rate risks.

Equinor is exposed to risks relating to trading and supply activities.

Risks related to state ownership

Factors which are material for the purpose of assessing the market risks associated with Notes issued under the Programme

Because the Notes are unsecured, the right to receive payments may be adversely affected.

Risks related to the structure of a particular issue of Notes

Notes subject to optional redemption by the Issuer.

Variable rate Notes with a multiplier or other leverage factor.

Inverse Floating Rate Notes.

Fixed/Floating Rate Notes.

Notes issued at a substantial discount or premium.

The regulation and reform of "benchmarks" may adversely affect the value of Floating Rate Notes linked to or referencing such "benchmarks".

Future discontinuance of certain "benchmark" rates may adversely affect the Floating Rate Notes.

Risks related to Notes generally

Modification and waivers.

The Issuer and the Guarantor may take certain actions, including certain Asset Transfers, Permitted Reorganisations and substitution of the Issuer, without the consent of the Noteholders or the Couponholders.

Equinor may be subject to a change in the Norwegian tax regime that could introduce a withholding tax on interest payments.

Change of law.

Trading in the clearing systems.

Because the Global Notes are held by or on behalf of Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg, investors will have to rely on their procedures for transfer and payment.

Risks related to the market generally

The secondary market generally.

Exchange rate risks and exchange controls.

Interest rate risks.

Credit ratings may not reflect all risks.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

FORM OF THE NOTES

Bearer Notes

VPS Notes

General

FORM OF FINAL TERMS

EQUINOR ASA

Legal entity identifier (LEI): OW6OFBNCKXC4US5C7523

[Guaranteed by EQUINOR ENERGY AS]

Issue of [Aggregate Nominal Amount of Tranche] [Title of Notes] Issued pursuant to the €20,000,000,000 Euro Medium Term Note Programme

PART A CONTRACTUAL TERMS

GENERAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO THE NOTES

23. Form of Notes:

[THIRD PARTY INFORMATION

PART B OTHER INFORMATION

1. LISTING AND ADMISSION TO TRADING

2. RATINGS

3. INTERESTS OF NATURAL AND LEGAL PERSONS INVOLVED IN THE ISSUE

4. YIELD (Fixed Rate Notes only)

5. OPERATIONAL INFORMATION

6. USE OF PROCEEDS

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE NOTES OTHER THAN VPS NOTES

1. Form, Denomination and Title

2. Status of the Notes and the Guarantee

(a) Status of the Notes

(b) Status of Guarantee

(c) Termination of Guarantee

3. Interest

(a) Interest on Fixed Rate Notes

(b) Interest on Floating Rate Notes

(B) Screen Rate Determination for Floating Rate Notes

(iii) Minimum and/or Maximum Rate of Interest

(iv) Determination of Rate of Interest and Calculation of Interest Amounts

(v) Linear Interpolation

(vi) Notification of Rate of Interest and Interest Amounts

(vii) Certificates to be Final

(viii) Benchmark Discontinuation