Statoil: High activity and good operations

Statoil’s (OSE:STL, NYSE:STO) second quarter 2010 net operating income was
NOK 26.6 billion, compared to NOK 24.3 billion in the second quarter of
2009.

The quarterly result was affected by a 32% increase in liquids prices
measured in NOK, a 6% increase in equity production and a 12% decrease in
gas prices measured in NOK. Also impairments, loss on derivatives and a
provision for an onerous contract influenced net operating income.

Adjusted earnings in the second quarter 2010 were NOK 36.4 billion, up 25%
from second quarter 2009 when adjusted earnings were NOK 29.2 billion.

Net income in the second quarter of 2010 was NOK 3.1 billion. This result
reflects higher oil prices and increased liftings, lower net financial
losses and lower tax rates partly offset by lower gas prices,
impairments, losses on derivatives and an onerous contract compared to
the second quarter of 2009, when net income was zero and the tax rate
unusually high.

Adjusted earnings after tax were NOK 10.6 billion in the second quarter of
2010, up 21% from second quarter 2009 when adjusted earnings after tax
were NOK 8.8 billion. Adjusted earnings after tax excludes the effect of
financial items and the tax on net financial items, and represents an
effective adjusted tax rate of 71% in the second quarter of 2010 and 70%
in the second quarter of 2009.

“Statoil’s second quarter is characterised by strong operational
performance and a high activity level,” says Statoil’s Chief Executive
Officer Helge Lund.

“We are making good progress on important projects. The Gjoa production
platform is now anchored at the field in the North Sea. The Gudrun
development was approved by the Norwegian Parliament in June, and key
contracts have now been awarded. In Brazil, the Peregrino field
development is moving forward and we have agreed to bring in Sinochem as
a 40% partner in the project,” says Lund.

“Statoil’s production is on track. Equity production is up 6% compared to
second quarter last year. However, planned maintenance turnarounds will
heavily impact production in the third quarter,” says Statoil’s CEO Helge
Lund.

Highlights since first quarter 2010:

* Equity production is up 6%
from second quarter 2009 to 1,957 mboe per day. For the first six months
of the year, equity production is 2,029 mboe per day.

* Entitlement production is up 2% from second quarter last year to 1,765
mboe per day.

* Average prices measured in NOK are up 32% for liquids and down 12% for
gas compared to second quarter last year. Gas prices continue to be low
in a historical perspective.

* On 19 May pressure change and loss of drilling fluid occurred in the C-
06 well at Gullfaks C, causing production on Gullfaks C, Gimle and Tordis
to be shut down. Production on Gullfaks and Gimle was resumed 14 July,
and Tordis will be back on stream after a planned pipeline operation,
which started on 20 July.

* On 21 May Statoil announced its agreement with the Sinochem Group to
sell 40% of the Peregrino field offshore Brazil.

* On 27 May a six months drilling moratorium was imposed in the Gulf of
Mexico.

* On 16 June the Norwegian Parliament (Stortinget) approved the plan for
development and operation (PDO) for Gudrun.

* On 1 July the Agbami equity determination process was completed
increasing Statoil’s share in the Nigerian field from 18.85% to 20.21%.

Further information from:

Investor relations
Lars Troen Sorensen, senior vice president investor relations,
+ 47 90 64 91 44
(mobile)
Morten Sven Johannessen, vice president investor relations USA,
+ 1 203 570 2524 (mobile)

Press
Ola Morten Aanestad, vice president for media relations,
+ 47 480 80 212
(mobile)

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

[HUG#1434644]

Financial statements and review 2nd quarter 2010:

http://hugin.info/132799/R/1434644/380201.pdf

Presentation 2nd quarter 2010:

http://hugin.info/132799/R/1434644/380203.pdf

Press release complete version 2nd quarter 2010:

http://hugin.info/132799/R/1434644/380199.pdf

This announcement is
distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of Thomson Reuters clients. The
owner of this announcement warrants that:

(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and other
applicable laws; and

(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and
originality of the information contained therein.

Source: Statoil via Thomson Reuters ONE

Copyright 2010, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

Statoil: Statoil: High activity and good operations

Statoil’s (OSE:STL, NYSE:STO) second quarter 2010 net operating income was NOK 26.6
billion, compared to NOK 24.3 billion in the second quarter of 2009.

The quarterly result was affected by a 32% increase in liquids prices measured in NOK, a
6% increase in equity production and a 12% decrease in gas prices measured in NOK. Also
impairments, loss on derivatives and a provision for an onerous contract influenced net
operating income.

Adjusted earnings in the second quarter 2010 were NOK 36.4 billion, up 25% from second
quarter 2009 when adjusted earnings were NOK 29.2 billion.

Net income in the second quarter of 2010 was NOK 3.1 billion. This result reflects
higher oil prices and increased liftings, lower net financial losses and lower tax rates
partly offset by lower gas prices, impairments, losses on derivatives and an onerous
contract compared to the second quarter of 2009, when net income was zero and the tax
rate unusually high.

Adjusted earnings after tax were NOK 10.6 billion in the second quarter of 2010, up 21%
from second quarter 2009 when adjusted earnings after tax were NOK 8.8 billion. Adjusted
earnings after tax excludes the effect of financial items and the tax on net financial
items, and represents an effective adjusted tax rate of 71% in the second quarter of
2010 and 70% in the second quarter of 2009.

“Statoil’s second quarter is characterised by strong operational performance and a high
activity level,” says Statoil’s Chief Executive Officer Helge Lund.

“We are making good progress on important projects. The Gjøa production platform is now
anchored at the field in the North Sea. The Gudrun development was approved by the
Norwegian Parliament in June, and key contracts have now been awarded. In Brazil, the
Peregrino field development is moving forward and we have agreed to bring in Sinochem as
a 40% partner in the project,” says Lund.

“Statoil’s production is on track. Equity production is up 6% compared to second quarter
last year. However, planned maintenance turnarounds will heavily impact production in
the third quarter,” says Statoil’s CEO Helge Lund.

Highlights since first quarter 2010:

* Equity production is up 6% from second quarter 2009 to 1,957 mboe per day. For the
first six months of the year, equity production is 2,029 mboe per day.
* Entitlement production is up 2% from second quarter last year to 1,765 mboe per day.
* Average prices measured in NOK are up 32% for liquids and down 12% for gas compared to
second quarter last year. Gas prices continue to be low in a historical perspective.
* On 19 May pressure change and loss of drilling fluid occurred in the C-06 well at
Gullfaks C, causing production on Gullfaks C, Gimle and Tordis to be shut down.
Production on Gullfaks and Gimle was resumed 14 July, and Tordis will be back on stream
after a planned pipeline operation, which started on 20 July.
* On 21 May Statoil announced its agreement with the Sinochem Group to sell 40% of the
Peregrino field offshore Brazil.
* On 27 May a six months drilling moratorium was imposed in the Gulf of Mexico.
* On 16 June the Norwegian Parliament (Stortinget) approved the plan for development and
operation (PDO) for Gudrun.
* On 1 July the Agbami equity determination process was completed increasing Statoil’s
share in the Nigerian field from 18.85% to 20.21%.

Further information from:

Investor relations
Lars Troen Sørensen, senior vice president investor relations, + 47 90 64 91 44 (mobile)
Morten Sven Johannessen, vice president investor relations USA, + 1 203 570 2524
(mobile)

Press
Ola Morten Aanestad, vice president for media relations, + 47 480 80 212 (mobile)

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

Sembcorp Marine says sells $356 mln jack-up rig

July (Reuters) – Sembcorp Marine (SCMN.SI), the world’s second largest offshore rig-builder, said on Monday its subsidiary has signed a contract to sell a jack-up drilling rig worth $356 million to a unit of Norway’s Seadrill Ltd (SDRL.OL).

The harh environment drilling rig, originally ordered by another owner that went into liquidation, would be chartered to Norwegian oil explorer Statoil (STL.OL). (Reporting by Nopporn Wong-Anan; editing by Dhara Ranasinghe)

Statoil says production at Troll field normal

July 6 (Reuters) – Norwegian oil and gas group Statoil (STL.OL) said on Tuesday production at its Troll field in the North Sea was normal.

“There is nothing to report today. It’s normal,” a spokeswoman said.

Gas flows into Britain from Norway’s Langeled gas pipeline fell to 17 million cubic metres (mcm) a day at 0653 GMT on Tuesday, down from around 58 mcm/day overnight, according to National Grid data.

(Reporting by Oslo newsroom)

Statoil Awards Accenture Five-Year Finance & Accounting Business Process Outsourcing Contract

OSLO, Norway–(Business Wire)–
Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has signed a five-year business process outsourcing (BPO)
contract with Statoil, an international energy company with operations in 40
countries, to manage the company`s Accounts Payables processes. Financial
details of the contract were not disclosed.

The agreement is designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of
Statoil`s Accounts Payable function by reengineering processes and increasing
automation supported through Accenture`s Global Delivery Network using centers
in Norway, the Czech Republic and India. The delivery of the outsourced services
is scheduled to begin in September 2010.

“We are excited and honored to have been awarded this contract by Statoil and
are looking forward to continuing our long term collaboration in a new area,”
said Kristian Kvam, executive director of Accenture`s Nordic Energy Industry
Group. “This is an excellent opportunity for Statoil to leverage our
market-leading BPO capability in the next step of its shared services journey.”

Accenture has worked with Statoil since the late 1970`s, in the areas of
Management Consulting and Technology Services.

Learn more about Accenture`s outsourcing services.

About Accenture

Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing
company, with more than 190,000 people serving clients in more than 120
countries. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across
all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world`s
most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them
become high-performance businesses and governments. The company generated net
revenues of US$21.58 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2009. Its home
page is www.accenture.com.

Accenture
Matthew McGuinness
+44 20 7844 9683
+44 77 400 38921
matthew.mcguinness@accenture.com
or
Christine Fields
+1 216 535 5092
christine.fields@accenture.com

Copyright Business Wire 2010

BRIEF-Statoil to supply natural gas to Poweo plant

June 25 (Reuters) – Norwegian oil and gas group Statoil (STL.OL) said:

Energy

* Signed 20-year agreement for supply of natural gas to Poweo (ALPWO.PA) plant

* To deliver gas from Oct 2012 to projected 400 MW power plant in Toul, France

(Reporting by Oslo newsroom)

UPDATE 1-NORDIC STOCKS – Factors to watch on June 17

June 17 (Reuters) – The following stocks may be affected by newspaper reports and other factors on Thursday:

STATOIL (STL.OL)

Norwegian offshore oil workers landed a wage deal with energy companies, averting a strike that had threatened production in three oil and gas fields in the North Sea.

Around 400 workers on the Gullfaks B and Gullfaks C fields, operated by Statoil, and Shell’s Draugen field had planned to strike from Thursday if no agreement was reached. For full story double-click on [ID:LDE65G01T] For more on the company, double-click on [STL.OL]

AKER SOLUTIONS (AKSO.OL)

The Norwegian oilfield engineering firm announced on Thursday that it has won a 115 million euro wind project in Germany.

For more on the company, double-click on [AKSO.OL]

A.P. MOLLER-MAERSK (MAERSKb.CO)

Maersk Line, the world’s biggest container shipping company, said on Thursday that demand for shipping was surging in most areas, and the upturn was leading to an “unprecedented” shortage of containers expected to last through the third quarter.

Maersk said the Asia-Europe trade was growing at a rate of 23 percent year-on-year, outpacing a market forecast of 3-6 percent from just six months ago. [ID:nLDE65F1E3]

For more on the companies, double click [MAERSKb.CO]

SKF (SKFb.ST)

The Swedish bearings maker has seen a market upturn in Europe continue deep into the second quarter despite the sovereign debt crisis gripping the region, its top executive told Reuters in an interview.

“Europe is starting to move in the right direction … We don’t see a strong recovery, but it’s starting to move up,” he said. [ID:nLDE65F1JL]

For more on the company, double-click on [SKFb.ST]

NOKIA (NOK1V.HE) The world’s top mobile phone maker warned on Wednesday its second-quarter phone unit sales and profits would be weaker than expected as it struggles to compete against Apple’s iPhone.

Nokia said profit margins at its cellphone unit would be at the lower-end of its forecasts, or below, in the second-quarter and in 2010. The firm had previously predicted the unit’s operating margin would be 9-12 percent in the second quarter and 11-13 percent for the full year.[ID:nLDE65F1F5]

For more on the company, double click on [NOK1V.HE]

** For a summary of upcoming results and forecasts, double click on [NORD/EQTY]

** For the western European company diary covering earnings, shareholder meetings, news conferences and analysts’ meetings, click on [WEU/EQUITY] or type in the code and hit the f9 button.

** Double click on <0#.INDEX.ST> for Swedish indices, <0#.INDEX.CO> for Danish indices, <0#.INDEX.HE> for Finnish indices and <0#.INDEX.OL> for Norwegian indices

** For real-time moves on Nordic blue-chip indices double click on .OMXS30, .OMXH25, and .OBX

** For constituent stock moves highlight the above codes in the command box and press the f3 button on your keyboard

** For Nordic top news items, double click on [TOP/NORD]

** For the latest news on Nordic stock price moves double click on [HOT-NORD-RTRS]

(Additional reporting by Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm newsrooms) (Helsinki Newsroom; +358-9-6805-0244)

RPT-Norway workers, oil firms land wage deal, avert strike

June 17 (Reuters) – Norwegian oil workers reached a wage settlement on Thursday, averting a strike that had threatened production in three North Sea oil and gas fields, the state arbitrator said. “There will be no strike,” Nils Dalseide, arbitrator for Norway’s National Arbitration Tribunal, told Reuters.

Around 400 workers on the Gullfaks B and Gullfaks C fields, which are operated by Statoil (STL.OL), and Shell’s (RDSa.L) Draugen field had planned to strike from Thursday if no agreement was reached with management over pay.

Representatives from three trade unions — Industri Energi, SAFE and Lederne — held arbitration talks over wages overnight, negotiating past a midnight deadline on Wednesday to reach a deal.

Norway workers, oil firms land wage deal, avert strike

June 17 (Reuters) – Norwegian oil workers reached a wage settlement on Thursday, averting a strike that had threatened production in three North Sea oil and gas fields, the state arbitrator said. “There will be no strike,” Nils Dalseide, arbitrator for Norway’s National Arbitration Tribunal, told Reuters.

Stocks | Global Markets

Around 400 workers on the Gullfaks B and Gullfaks C fields, which are operated by Statoil (STL.OL), and Shell’s (RDSa.L) Draugen field had planned to strike from Thursday if no agreement was reached with management over pay.

Representatives from three trade unions — Industri Energi, SAFE and Lederne — held arbitration talks over wages overnight, negotiating past a midnight deadline on Wednesday to reach a deal.

Aker Solutions ASA: Aker Solutions completes Gjøa platform for the North Sea

13 June 2010 – The semi-submersible platform by Aker Solutions for the Gjøa oil and gas
field offshore Norway, today started on its journey from the yard at Stord to the North
Sea, where installation will take place. Production start-up is scheduled for the fourth
quarter of 2010.

Gjøa features innovative solutions by Aker Solutions, based on the company’s experience
from more than 50 semi-submersibles. It will be Statoil’s first floating platform
supplied with power from shore. This is expected to reduce carbon emissions by approx
250,000 tonnes per year.

Gjøa is one of the largest ongoing field development projects in the North Sea. Aker
Solutions has designed, engineered and assembled the platform, which will connect to
five subsea templates. With a topside weight of 22.000 tonnes and hull dry weight of
15.000 tonnes, the new platform is ready to create value for its operators and Norwegian
society in decades to come.

“We are proud to deliver the Gjøa platform to Statoil ready for operation in the
northern part of the North Sea. Gjøa is a strategically important project for Aker
Solutions, underpinning our position as a leading supplier of floating platforms for oil
and gas production. Today’s sail away confirms our competence and track record within
this area,” says Jarle Tautra, executive vice president in Aker Solutions.

The Gjøa deck measures 110 meters long and 85 meters wide, an area larger than a
football (soccer) field. The platform’s highest point is the flare tower at 143 meters,
several floors higher than Norway’s tallest building, Oslo Plaza, at 117 meters. In
total, more than 500 Aker Solutions engineers have been mobilised to design the
platform, from Oslo, Norway, and Mumbai, India. During the final assembly at Stord, peak
manning reached 3000 skilled operators. Key deliveries have also been made by other Aker
Solutions locations in Norway, including Egersund, Verdal, Moss and Pusnes.

Installation of the mooring system, transportation and installation of the Gjøa platform
is carried out by Aker Solutions’ subsidiary Aker Marine Contractors.

“The delivery of Gjøa continues our good working relationship with Statoil from the
similar, but slightly smaller Kristin platform which we completed a few years ago. We
are proud to be their partner in further developing oil and gas resources in the North
Sea and beyond. We thank them for their confidence. I would also personally like to
congratulate the thousands of employees and subcontractors involved in this project, on
a job well done!” says Tautra.

Licencees to the Gjøa field are Statoil, development operator (20%), GDF SUEZ E&P Norge
AS, production operator (30%), Petoro (30%), Shell (12%) and RWE Dea (8%). Estimated
recoverable reserves amount to 82 million barrels of oil and condensate, and 40 billion
cubic metres of gas. In addition, the Vega satellite field has estimated reserves of 26
million barrels of condensate and 18 billion cubic metres of gas. The gas will be sent
through the Flags pipeline to Scotland while the oil will be piped to Statoil’s refinery
at Mongstad.

(Attached photos: Statoil.)

ENDS

For further information, please contact:

Media:
Alf Terje Myklebust, communication manager, Aker Solutions, Stord. Tel: +47 53 41 81 03,
Mob: +47 91 75 34 42

Investor relations:
Lasse Torkildsen, SVP Investor Relations, Aker Solutions. Tel: +47 67 51 30 39, Mob: +47
911 37 194

Suppliers:
For further information about sourcing and potential subcontracts for this project,
please contact the relevant BA Global Sourcing Champion

http://www.akersolutions.com/Internet/SuppliersCentre/Contacts/SupplyManagementContacts.htm

.

Career opportunities:
Visit http://www.akersolutions.com/careers http://www.akersolutions.com/careers

Aker Solutions ASA, through its subsidiaries and affiliates (“Aker Solutions”), is a
leading global provider of engineering and construction services, technology products
and integrated solutions. Aker Solutions’ business serves several industries, including
oil & gas, refining & chemicals, mining & metals and power generation. The Aker
Solutions group is organised in a number of separate legal entities. Aker Solutions is
used as the common brand/trademark for most of these entities.

Aker Solutions’ parent company is Aker Solutions ASA. Aker Solutions has aggregated
annual revenues of approximately NOK 54 billion and employs approximately 22 000 people
in about 30 countries.

Aker Solutions is part of Aker (www.akerasa.com http://www.akerasa.com/ ), a group of
premier companies with a focus on energy, maritime and marine resource industries. The
Aker companies share a common set of values and a long tradition of industrial
innovation. As an industrial owner controlling 40.27 percent of the shares in Aker
Solutions through Aker Holding AS, Aker ASA takes an active role in the development of
Aker Solutions.

This press release may include forward-looking information or statements and is subject
to our disclaimer, see www.akersolutions.com http://www.akersolutions.com/ .

HUG#1423496

gjoa-statoil3 http://hugin.info/77/R/1423496/372363.jpg gjoa-statoil1
http://hugin.info/77/R/1423496/372361.jpg factsheet-english
http://hugin.info/77/R/1423496/372360.pdf gjoa-statoil2

http://hugin.info/77/R/1423496/372362.jpg

UPDATE 1-Azerbaijan-Turkey gas deal faces delay

BAKU, June 2 (Reuters) – Details of a Turkish-Azeri gas deal that will set the stage for Azeri exports to Europe will be sealed later than expected, a senior official said on Wednesday.

Specific commercial and investment aspects of a deal, which will lay the terms for export of the Caspian gas through pipelines leading to Europe, will be decided in 6-8 months, said Murad Heydarov, adviser to Azeri President Ilham Alyiev.

The next round of negotiations between the two sides begins on Thursday, leading up to Aliyev’s visit to Turkey, when the two countries are expected to sign a general agreement on broad terms on June 7.

Azerbaijan will also look for buyers for new gas volumes for next year.

Russia has already said it is looking to buy up second phase Shah Deniz gas from Azerbaijan, which also exports gas to Turkey, Georgia and Iran over four pipelines.

Azerbaijan will have an additional 1.4 billion cubic metres of gas in 2011 that it can export from its off-shore Shah Deniz gas field, said state oil company Socar’s general manager of gas export.

The additional gas, due to increased efficiency at field wells, will boost output above a peak level of 8.6 bcm this year.

“Production should reach 10 bcm next year, which should free up additional gas exports to Europe,” export manager Kamal Abbasov said on the sidelines of the 17th caspian Oil and Gas Conference.

NABUCCO SUPPLIES

Turkey and Azerbaijan have been negotiating for two years a broad gas deal that is expected to lay the foundation for gas exports to Europe through the European Union-backed Nabucco pipeline project, part of a “southern corridor” of energy supplies leading to Europe.

Lack of an agreement between the two sides has delayed the second phase of the Shah Deniz gas field, co-led by BP (BP.L) and Statoil (STL.OL) and led to frustrations among those supporting the southern corridor.

Nabucco has yet to secure any supplies for the 31 bcm pipeline, seen coming on line at the end of 2014, leaving it vulnerable to Russia’s South Stream pipeline.

“The concept of a Southern Corridor is simply not viable if countries that stand to most to benefit from it cannot reach commercially sensible, mutualy advantageous on the terms under which gas for the corridor will be transported,” said U.S. envoy for Eurasian energy, Richard Morningstar.

The rival pipeline projects aim to meet consumption demand in Europe once a current gas supply glut is seen ending around 2015.

Azerbaijan’s off-shore Shah Deniz field holds its largest gas reserves, expected to be at least 1.2 trillion cubic metres, though some analysts have put the reserves as high as 2 trillion cubic metres

Leak at Norway’s Kaarstoe under control -Statoil

June 1 (Reuters) – The gas leak at Kaarstoe, one of Norway’s biggest gas processing plants, has been controlled, plant co-owner Statoil said on Tuesday.

“The gas leak is under control,” Statoil spokeswoman Tori Lindboel told Reuters. “Everything is calm and under control.”

Lindboel did not know when full production at the plant would resume.

(Reporting by Gwladys Fouche)

Kaarstoe production at 33-35 mcm -Gassco

June 1 (Reuters) – Kaarstoe, one of Norway’s biggest gas processing plants, is still processing some 33 to 35 million cubic metres (mcm) of gas per day after a gas leak, operator Gassco said on Tuesday.

“It is not a total shutdown,” spokesman Kjell Varlo Larsen told Reuters. “Some parts of the processing facility are still running … Around 33-35 million cubic metres per day are still going.”

Kaarstoe co-owner Statoil previously told Reuters that production at the plant had shut down.

Larsen declined to say at what level of production Kaarstoe had prior to the leak.

The Kaarstoe facility, situated on Norway’s west coast, has a total processing capacity of 88 mcm per day.

It separates the rich gas arriving via the Statpipe and Aasgard transport pipelines into its various components and handles some condensate piped from the Sleipner field area.

(Reporting by Gwladys Fouche)

Norway’s Kaarstoe shut after leak -Statoil

OSLO, June 1 – Production at Kaarstoe, one of Norway’s biggest gas processing plants, has been shut down after a gas leak, Kaarstoe co-owner Statoil (STL.OL) said on Tuesday.

“The production has been shut down,” Statoil spokeswoman Tori Lindboel told Reuters.

“Several hundred people have been evacuated,” she said. “It’s not everyone in the processing plant itself. There is a group of people trying to get a full overview of the situation.”

“The leak took place in one of the outer storage area of the plant,” she added.

Kaarstoe’s processing capacity is 88 million cubic metres per day.

(Reporting by Gwladys Fouche)

Norway’s Kaarstoe evacuated after gas leak-reports

June 1 (Reuters) – Kaarstoe, one of Norway’s biggest gas processing plants, has been evacuated after a gas leak, Norwegian broadcaster NRK said on Tuesday.

“There has been a gas leak in the outer part of the processing plant,” NRK quoted Kaarstoe spokeswoman Tori Lindboel as saying.

Plant operator Gassco and Norwegian major Statoil (STL.OL) were not immediately available for comment.

(Reporting by Oslo newsrooom)

Statoil: Stronger results in volatile markets Statoil: Stronger results in volatile markets

STAVANGER, NORWAY, May 05 (MARKET WIRE) —

Statoil’s first quarter 2010 net operating income was NOK 39.6 billion,
an 11% increase compared to NOK 35.5 billion in the first quarter of 2009.

The quarterly result was mainly affected by a 48% increase in liquids
prices measured in NOK and a 35% decrease in gas prices.

Adjusted earnings in the first quarter of 2010 were NOK 38.9 billion. The
8% increase in adjusted earnings from first quarter 2009 to first quarter
2010 was primarily caused by the increase in prices for liquids and was
only partly offset by reduced gas prices, lower entitlement volumes and
lower results from oil trading.

Net income in the first quarter of 2010 was NOK 11.1 billion, compared to
NOK 4.0 billion in the first quarter of 2009. The 181% increase was
mainly due to higher net operating income in International Exploration &
Production, reduced losses on net financial items and a lower tax rate.

Adjusted earnings after tax were NOK 12.1 billion in the first quarter of
2010.

Adjusted earnings after tax exclude the effect of tax on net financial
items and represent an effective adjusted tax rate of 69% in the first
quarter of 2010.

“I am pleased with the results in the first quarter. Our equity production
has been high and oil prices have been rising. Despite weaknesses in the
gas market our Natural Gas business has delivered solid results, as a
consequence of high offtake from our customers and good trading
performance,” says Statoil’s chief executive Helge Lund.

“Project activity is maintained at a high level. In the first quarter we
have sanctioned six new projects. Among them are important field
developments like Gudrun and Marulk on the Norwegian Continental Shelf
and the Chirag Oil Project in Azerbaijan. These projects are underpinning
our long term growth ambitions,” says Lund.

Highlights since fourth quarter 2009:

* Equity production is up 1% from first quarter 2009 to 2,102 mboe per
day. Entitlement production is down 1% to 1,915 mboe per day.
* Average liquid prices measured in NOK are up 48% to NOK 434 per
barrel, while average gas prices are down 35% to NOK 1.64 per
standard cubic metre of gas.
* Six upstream projects were sanctioned during the quarter.
* On 3 March Statoil ASA and the Norwegian state reached a settlement
in the Karsto expansion case. Statoil agreed to pay a NOK
500 million settlement and NOK 270 million in interest, after tax.
* On 17 March Statoil’s Board of Directors decided to launch a process
to separate and list the company’s energy and retail business on the
Oslo Stock Exchange. The initial public offering will take place at
the earliest in the fourth quarter of 2010 or at a time when the
capital market is deemed favourable for such an offering.
* On 23 March Statoil announced that the Shell operated Vito appraisal
well in deep water US Gulf of Mexico has encountered more than 600
net feet of high quality oil. Statoil holds a 25% working interest in
the block.
* On 26 March Statoil signed an agreement with Chesapeake which added
approximately 59 thousand net acres to Statoil’s current 600 thousand
net acre position in the Marcellus shale gas play.

Further information from

Investor relations:
Lars Troen Sorensen, senior vice president IR, +47 90 64 91 44
(mobile)
Geir Bjornstad, vice president, US IR, +1 203 978 6950

Press:
Ola Morten Aanestad, vice president for media relations, +47 480 80 212
(mobile)

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

[HUG#1411821]

Press release 1 Quarter 2010:

http://hugin.info/132799/R/1411821/364164.pdf

1Q 2010 Financial statements and review:

http://hugin.info/132799/R/1411821/364158.pdf

1Q 2010 Presentation: http://hugin.info/132799/R/1411821/364159.pdf

Copyright 2010, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

BRIEF-Statoil affirms 2010 targets after Q1

OSLO, May 5 (Reuters) – Statoil ASA (STL.OL) said:

Stocks | Energy

* Affirms 2010 oil and gas production guidance of 1.925-1.975 mln boed

* Affirms 2012 oil and gas production guidance of 2.1-2.2 mln boed

* Planned turnarounds to limit output by 30 mln boed in Q2, by avg of 50 mboed in 2010

* Affirms 2010 capital expenditure target of $13 bln

* 2010 unit production cost goal of NOK 35-36 per barrel of oil equivalent

* Gas market to stay challenging in near term, sees volatile commodity prices

* Refining margins have improved slightly, but to remain at low levels in near term

* Affirms 2010 exploration budget of $2.3 bln, plans to drill some 50 wells

(Reporting by Oslo newsroom)

SDRL – Seadrill secures a five-year contract for jack-up newbuild

HAMILTON, BERMUDA, Apr 14 (MARKET WIRE) —
Seadrill has received a letter of intent from Statoil for a harsh
environment jack-up drilling rig for the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

The letter of intent represents a five-year contract with an estimated
contract value of approximately US$650 million, (including a mobilization
fee of US$24 million), and start-up is scheduled for the third quarter
2011. Statoil has the option to extend the contract with one to four
years, on the same terms and conditions.

The jack-up rig of the Gusto MSC CJ70 150A design is currently under
construction at the Jurong shipyard in Singapore. The rig is scheduled to
be completed at the end of the first quarter 2011. Seadrill will exercise
its option to purchase the drilling unit from the Jurong shipyard for
approximately US$350 million, excluding owner furnished equipment, loose
drilling equipment, capitalized interest and project management.

The rig is an advanced, ultra large, harsh environment, high specification
drilling unit, specifically built for Norwegian requirements and matching
the specification of the largest jack-up drilling units in the world. The
unit provides means to operate in water depth up to 150 meters with a
higher variable deck load and a higher operating efficiency compared to
previous jack-up generations, while the size of the unit allows for
additional opportunities within areas like logistics, well testing and
early production.

Alf C Thorkildsen, Chief Executive Officer in Seadrill Management AS says,
“This assignment strengthens the industrial cooperation between Seadrill
and Statoil, benefiting the development of the Norwegian Continental
Shelf, bringing a new and advanced drilling unit into the region. This is
our third consecutive term contract with Statoil within the last four
weeks. The three contracts have a total estimated value of approximately
US$1.8 billion, making Statoil one of Seadrill’s prime clients globally.”

Contact:
Trond Brandsrud,
Chief Financial Officer
Seadrill Management AS
+47 90 11 46 63

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

[HUG#1403415]

Copyright 2010, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

Statoil Hydro third-quarter earnings drop on higher tax rate

Statoil Hydro third-quarter earnings drop on higher tax rateOslo – Norwegian energy giant Statoil Hydro’s third-quarter net income fell 57 per cent, the group said Monday, citing a stronger US dollar rate that pushed up tax rates.

Net income for the quarter was 6.3 billion kroner (937 million dollars), compared to 14.6 billion kroner in the corresponding business period of 2007.

Net operating income increased 31 per cent to 47 billion kroner, while turnover was up 35 per cent to 170 billion kroner, the group said.

“Our operating performance and operating income are strong and we are well positioned industrially and financially in a time with great uncertainty in the financial markets,” Statoil Hydro chief executive Helge Lund said in a statement.

Statoil Hydro said its average daily oil and gas third-quarter output was 1,550,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, down 8 per cent on the corresponding business period 2007.

The group reported a rise in exploration spending, reflecting higher exploration activity.

Just over half of the 60 exploration wells drilled during January to September were made outside the Norwegian continental shelf.

In all 26 discoveries were declared, including eight outside the Norwegian continental shelf, the group said.

Gas prices were on average 55 per cent higher in third-quarter year-on-year measured in Norwegian kroner, while the average oil price was 36 per cent higher.

The group was created in October 2007 with the merger of Norwegian oil and gas groups Statoil and Norsk Hydro.

Third-quarter production costs increased “significantly,” the group said, citing “restructuring costs relating to the merger, start-up of new fields, increased maintenance cost and general industry cost pressure.” (dpa)