Press Release

No.: 81/99
Date: 17.12.1999

Operatorship for the Ormen Lange field

Norsk Hydro is offered the operatorship for development and Shell is offered the operatorship for a unitised Ormen Lange field.

To ensure an effective utilisation of the resources in the Ormen Lange field it is pertinent that all participating companies' technical and commercial competence be put to active and committed use both in the development and production of the resources in the field.

The Ormen Lange gas discovery, located in Production Licences 208, 209 and 250, was discovered in 1997. The discovery is located west of Kristiansund, about 140 kilometres off the coast. Preliminary resource estimates show that Ormen Lange is the 2nd largest gas discovery on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

BPAmoco is the operator of Production Licence 208, Norsk Hydro of Production Licence 209 and Shell of Production Licence 250. Other licensees are Esso and Statoil.

In connection with the development of the field all realistic transport routes will be considered in an equally thorough manner, including the possibilities for landing in Mid-Norway/Møre. The onshore functions will be considered thoroughly. Kristiansund could be a natural alternative.

Contact:
Sissel Edvardsen +47 22 24 61 09