Who is David Barratt, and what was his role at Equinor before his departure?

David Barratt was Equinor ASA’s chief crude trader, heading the company’s global crude-trading book from London; he had been with Equinor for nine years before leaving the company this week.

What broader staffing trend at Equinor does Barratt’s departure reflect, and which other traders are cited as having left recently?

Barratt’s departure reflects a broader trend of staff departures from Equinor over the past year—particularly from its US office—including traders Birger Birgersen and Jesus Rodriguez, who both left to join ExxonMobil Holdings Corp.

Equinor’s Chief Crude Trader Leaves After Nine-Year Tenure

Jul 7, 2026

Equinor's chief crude trader David Barratt departed after nine years, amidst a trend of key staff moving to competitors like ExxonMobil. The company reported profits exceeding estimates, though cash flow issues weighed on its share price.

bloomberg

2026-07-07

Equinor’s Chief Crude Trader Leaves After Nine-Year Tenure

Equinor’s Chief Crude Trader Leaves After Nine-Year Tenure

FAQ