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Equinor (NYSE: EQNR) launches $375M buyback within $1.5B 2026 plan

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6-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Equinor ASA plans to start the second tranche of its 2026 share buy-back programme after the annual general meeting on 12 May 2026. This tranche is for up to USD 375 million, of which USD 123.8 million will be purchased in the market and the rest via shares to be redeemed from the Norwegian State.

The tranche will run until no later than 20 July 2026 and aims to reduce Equinor’s issued share capital, with all shares bought in this tranche to be cancelled at the annual general meeting in May 2027. The buy-back depends on renewed board authorisation and an agreement with the Norwegian State, which intends to keep its ownership at 67% by redeeming and cancelling a proportional number of its shares.

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Insights

Equinor advances a planned USD 375 million buy-back tranche, fully aimed at capital reduction.

Equinor outlines a second 2026 tranche of its share buy-back programme for up to USD 375 million, including USD 123.8 million in market purchases. This forms part of a broader 2026 framework of up to USD 1.5 billion in repurchases, contingent on shareholder authorisation and agreement with the Norwegian State.

The Norwegian State intends to maintain a 67% ownership stake by having a proportionate number of its shares redeemed and cancelled at the general meeting in May 2027. All shares repurchased in this tranche will be cancelled, meaning the programme focuses on reducing issued share capital rather than holding treasury stock.

Execution will follow a non-discretionary agreement with a third party and use safe harbour provisions under EU and Norwegian rules. Future tranches for 2026 will be evaluated quarterly by the board, aligned with the company’s stated dividend policy and dependent on renewed authorisations and agreement with the State.

Second 2026 buy-back tranche size USD 375 million Maximum value for second 2026 tranche, including State redemption
Market purchases in second tranche USD 123.8 million Portion of second tranche to be bought in the market
Total 2026 buy-back programme USD 1.5 billion Overall 2026 share buy-back framework, including State redemption
Maximum shares under authorisation 78 million shares Maximum number of shares that can be purchased in the market
Share price range for buy-back NOK 50–NOK 1,000 Minimum and maximum price per share under the authorisation
Norwegian State ownership level 67% Targeted ownership to be maintained via proportional redemption
Second tranche end date 20 July 2026 Latest date for completion of the second 2026 tranche
Authorisation validity Until May 2027, no later than 30 June 2027 Validity period of proposed share buy-back authorisation
share buy-back programme financial
"Equinor to commence second tranche of the 2026 share buy-back programme"
A share buy-back programme is when a company purchases its own shares from the market. This reduces the total number of shares available, which can increase the value of remaining shares and signal confidence in the company's future. For investors, it can be a sign that the company believes its stock is undervalued and may lead to higher share prices.
non-discretionary agreement financial
"Equinor will be entering into a non-discretionary agreement with a third party"
volume-weighted average financial
"price to be paid to the State for redemption ... shall be the volume-weighted average of the price"
A volume-weighted average is a number that combines different values by giving more influence to those associated with larger trading size — for example, prices tied to many shares traded count more than prices tied to few shares. For investors it shows the price level where most trading actually happened, serving as a truer “center” than a simple average and helping judge whether recent trades were heavy or light compared with typical activity.
safe harbour conditions regulatory
"Transactions will be conducted in accordance with applicable safe harbour conditions"
redemption and cancellation financial
"the redemption and cancellation of a proportionate number of its shares"
EU Market Abuse Regulation regulatory
"information that Equinor is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation"
A set of EU-wide rules that prevent cheating in financial markets by banning insider trading, market manipulation, and misleading disclosure; it also requires timely public release of key company information so everyone can play on a level field. For investors, it reduces the risk that prices are driven by secret deals or false signals, making markets fairer and more reliable for deciding when to buy or sell — like referees enforcing fair play in a game.
 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the month of May 2026

Commission File Number: 1-15200

Equinor ASA
(Translation of registrant's name into English)

FORUSBEEN 50, N-4035, STAVANGER, NORWAY
(Address of principal executive office)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F [ X ]      Form 40-F [   ]

 

 


On May 6, 2026, the Registrant issued a press release, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

(c) Exhibit 99.1. Press release dated May 6, 2026


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

      Equinor ASA    
  (Registrant)
   
  
Date: May 6, 2026     /s/ TORGRIM REITAN    
  Torgrim Reitan
  Chief Financial Officer
  

EXHIBIT 99.1

Equinor to commence second tranche of the 2026 share buy-back programme

Equinor (OSE: EQNR, NYSE: EQNR) will, after the annual general meeting on 12 May 2026, commence the second tranche of up to USD 375 million of the share buy-back programme for 2026, as announced in connection with the company’s first quarter results on 6 May 2026.

Execution of share buy-back under the tranche is subject to renewal of a board authorisation for share buy-back from the annual general meeting 12 May 2026 and agreement with the Norwegian State regarding share buy-back.

In this second tranche of the share buy-back programme for 2026, shares for up to USD 123.8 million will be purchased in the market, implying a total second tranche of up to USD 375 million including shares to be redeemed from the Norwegian State. The tranche will end no later than 20 July 2026.

Equinor announced at the 4Q and full year 2025 results presentation on 4 February 2026, a share buy-back programme of up to USD 1.5 billion for 2026, including shares to be redeemed from the Norwegian State. The share buy-back programme will be subject to market outlook and balance sheet strength and be structured into tranches where Equinor will buy back shares for a certain value in USD over a defined period. For the second tranche for 2026, Equinor will be entering into a non-discretionary agreement with a third party who will execute repurchases of shares and make its trading decisions independently of the company.

Commencement of new share buy-back tranches after the second tranche for 2026 will be decided by the board of directors on a quarterly basis in line with the company’s dividend policy and will be subject to a new board authorisation for share buy-back from the company’s annual general meeting and agreement with the Norwegian State regarding share buy-back (as further described below).

The purpose of the share buy-back programme is to reduce the issued share capital of the company. All shares purchased as part of the second tranche for 2026 will thus be cancelled through a capital reduction at the annual general meeting of the company in May 2027.

Further information about the share buy-back programme and the second tranche:

The second tranche of the share buy-back programme for 2026 is subject to an authorisation being granted to the board of directors by the annual general meeting of the company on 12 May 2026. According to such authorisation proposed by the board of directors, the maximum number of shares which can be purchased in the market is 78 million. The minimum price that can be paid per share is NOK 50, and the maximum price is NOK 1,000. The authorisation proposed will be valid until the annual general meeting of the company in May 2027, but no later than 30 June 2027.

It is a precondition for execution of the second tranche that Equinor and the Norwegian State have entered into an agreement regulating the State’s participation in the share buy-back programme: At the annual general meeting of the company in May 2027, the State will, as per proposal by the board of directors, vote for the cancellation of shares purchased in the market pursuant to the board authorisation, and the redemption and cancellation of a proportionate number of its shares in order to maintain its ownership share in the company at 67%. The price to be paid to the State for redemption of the State’s shares shall be the volume-weighted average of the price paid by Equinor for shares purchased in the market plus interest rate compensation, adjusted for any dividends paid.

In the second tranche for 2026, shares will be purchased on the Oslo Stock Exchange and possibly other trading venues within the EEA. Transactions will be conducted in accordance with applicable safe harbour conditions, and as further set out in the Norwegian Securities Trading Act of 2007, EU Commission Regulation No 2016/1052 and the Norwegian Financial Supervisory Authority's Guidelines for buy-back programmes from March 2025.

The board of directors will propose to the annual general meeting to be held in May 2027, to cancel shares purchased in the market in this second tranche for 2026 and to redeem and cancel a proportionate number of the State’s shares pursuant to the agreement with the State. Based on renewal of this agreement, shares purchased under subsequent tranches of the share buy-back programme for 2026, and a proportionate number of the State’s shares will follow a similar process at the annual general meeting of the company in 2027.

This is information that Equinor is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and that is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

Further information from:

Investor relations
Bård Glad Pedersen, senior vice president Investor Relations,
+47 918 01 791

Media
Sissel Rinde, vice president Media Relations,
+47 412 60 584

FAQ

What is Equinor (EQNR) announcing in this Form 6-K?

Equinor is announcing the start of the second tranche of its 2026 share buy-back programme, for up to USD 375 million. This tranche will begin after the annual general meeting on 12 May 2026, subject to board authorisation and agreement with the Norwegian State.

How large is Equinor’s 2026 share buy-back and this second tranche?

Equinor has announced a 2026 share buy-back programme of up to USD 1.5 billion, including shares redeemed from the Norwegian State. Within this, the second tranche is up to USD 375 million, of which USD 123.8 million will be market purchases.

When will Equinor’s second 2026 share buy-back tranche run and end?

The second 2026 tranche will commence after Equinor’s annual general meeting on 12 May 2026. It will continue for a defined period and is scheduled to end no later than 20 July 2026, according to the company’s disclosed timetable.

How will the Norwegian State participate in Equinor’s 2026 buy-back?

The Norwegian State plans to redeem and cancel a proportionate number of its Equinor shares so its ownership remains at 67%. The redemption price will match the volume-weighted average price Equinor pays in the market, plus interest compensation and adjustments for dividends.

What happens to Equinor shares repurchased in the second 2026 tranche?

All shares repurchased in the second 2026 tranche will be cancelled through a capital reduction. This cancellation is planned to be approved at Equinor’s annual general meeting in May 2027, reducing the company’s issued share capital rather than creating treasury stock.

Under what conditions can Equinor execute this second buy-back tranche?

Execution requires an authorisation from the 12 May 2026 annual general meeting allowing market purchases of up to 78 million shares, within a price range of NOK 50 to NOK 1,000. It also depends on a renewed agreement with the Norwegian State about its participation.

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