EN
Relativistic configuration interaction calculations with the inclusion of the Breit interaction, quantum electrodynamics and finite nuclear mass corrections have been carried out in the extended optimal level scheme using multiconfiguration Dirac-Fock wavefunctions on the forbidden transition probabilities for the 2p
4 ground state configuration of the oxygen isoelectronic sequence for 8 ⩽ Z ⩽ 42. Electric quadrupole and magnetic dipole transition probabilities are reported for transitions between several of these levels. Our results are compared with those from other theories and experiments. Our energy levels are in better agreement with experiment than other theories.