PTTEP joins Statoil as partner in Canadian oil sands

23.11.2010  |  Globenewswire Europe

Statoil (OSE: STL, NYSE: STO) has agreed to sell a 40% interest in its oil sands
project in Alberta, Canada (Kai Kos Dehseh) to PTT Exploration and Production
(PTTEP) of Thailand.

Pursuant to the transaction, PTTEP has agreed to pay a total of USD 2,280
million for the 40% interest.  Statoil will retain 60% ownership and shall act
as the Managing Partner and operator of the project. Production volumes from the
partnership will continue to be handled and marketed  by Statoil Canada Ltd.

The effective date of the transaction is 1 January, 2011.  The transaction is
subject to customary regulatory approvals in Canada and is expected to close in
the first quarter 2011.

"This transaction underlines the quality of our Canadian resources and
demonstrates our ability to create value as an oil sands operator," says
Statoil's Chief Executive Officer, Helge Lund.

"We look forward to forming a strong partnership with PTTEP in the further
development of our Canadian oil sands assets. The agreement to farm down from a
100% position to 60% follows other recent transactions designed to optimize the
risk and strategic profile of our global portfolio," Lund continues.

As part of the development of Kai Kos Dehseh, earlier this year, Statoil
presented a technology plan aimed at increasing value through enhanced
production and reducing carbon emissions and energy use.  Future development of
the oil sands leases will proceed in a stepwise manner. Canadian oil sands
represent one of the world's largest oil resources and will play an increasingly
important role in the global energy mix.

"PTTEP fully shares our ambitions in relation to efficient and responsible
operation and development of our Canadian oil sands assets. Our new partnership
is committed to utilizing the best available technology in order to both
minimize environmental impact and enhance value as we further develop Kai Kos
Dehseh," says Lund.

Statoil originally entered Kai Kos Dehseh through the acquisition of North
American Oil Sands Corporation in 2007.  Since then, Statoil has invested to
construct project facilities and related infrastructure at the Leismer project.
The Leismer project is the first phase of the SAGD (Steam Assisted Gravity
Drainage) full field development of Kai Kos Dehseh. The project initiated steam
injection on 3 September 2010, one month ahead of schedule, and is positioned to
move into production phase during the first quarter of 2011.



Established in 1985, PTTEP is Thailand's sole petroleum exploration and
production company. PTTEP is one of the top ten publicly listed companies on the
Stock Exchange of Thailand with a market capitalization of approximately USD 20
billion and invests in more than 40 E&P projects across 12 countries with a
workforce of around 3,000 employees. PTTEP is owned 65% by PTT Public Company
Limited (PTT), a fully integrated energy conglomerate in Thailand in which the
Government of Thailand holds directly 51% of the shares.

Statoil is an international energy company, headquartered in Norway, with
operations in 34 countries. Building on more than 35 years of experience from
oil and gas production on the Norwegian continental shelf, Statoil is committed
to accommodating the world's energy needs in a responsible manner, applying
technology and creating innovative business solutions. Statoil has 20,000
employees worldwide, and is listed on the New York and Oslo stock exchanges. For
further information, please visit www.statoil.com.

Conference call
There will be a conference call with CFO Eldar Sætre and EVP for International
E&P, Peter Mellbye, on Tuesday 23 November  at 14.30 CET (8.30 EST)

For participation in the conference call please call:

* +44 (0)20 7136 2050 International dial-in
* 800 19639 Norway Toll Free
* 0800 032 4094 UK Toll Free
* 1866 239 0750 USA Toll Free

Confirmation Code: 6796241

Participants will have to quote the above code when dialling into the conference

Contacts

Investor relations:

Hilde Merete Nafstad, vice president, investor relations Norway,
+47 95 78 39 11

Morten Sven Johannessen, vice president, investor relations North America,
+1 203 570 2524 (mobile)

Media:

Bård Glad Pedersen, media relations manager,
+47 918 01 791

Ola Morten Aanestad, vice president, media relations, North America,
+1 713 485 2174 (office), or +1 713 498 0585 (mobile)

This information is subject of the disclosure requirements acc. to §5-12 vphl
(Norwegian Securities Trading Act)


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Source: Statoil via Thomson Reuters ONE


Unternehmen: Statoil - ISIN: NO0010096985