Norwegian Police Charge Oil Executives for Alleged Congo Bribery
Norwegian police charged a PetroNor subsidiary and two executives for allegedly bribing the family of the Congo Republic president with 25 million dollars.
Insights:
The Norwegian National Authority for Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime in Norway 
NOannounced on January 26, 2026, that it has charged Hemla Africa Holding AS and two former executives with major corruption. Knut Soevold knut soevoldand Gerhard Ludvigsen gerhard ludvigsenare accused of orchestrating millions of dollars in bribes to close family members of the President of the Congo Republic 
CG, Denis Sassou Nguesso denis sassou nguesso. The charges allege that these illicit payments were part of a scheme to secure lucrative oil interests via the PNGF Sud offshore licence.
NOannounced on January 26, 2026, that it has charged Hemla Africa Holding AS and two former executives with major corruption. Knut Soevold knut soevoldand Gerhard Ludvigsen gerhard ludvigsenare accused of orchestrating millions of dollars in bribes to close family members of the President of the Congo Republic CG, Denis Sassou Nguesso denis sassou nguesso. The charges allege that these illicit payments were part of a scheme to secure lucrative oil interests via the PNGF Sud offshore licence.Hemla Africa Holding AS is a fully owned indirect subsidiary of the Oslo-listed energy group PetroNor E&P Limited . The company holds a 20% stake in the offshore PNGF Sud licence through its subsidiary Hemla E&P Congo. This licence area, situated in shallow waters approximately 25 kilometers off the coast, encompasses several producing fields and is operated by the Anglo-French independent firm Perenco . Perencohas not been accused of any wrongdoing in this case and acts solely as the operator of the producing assets.
