Total has agreed to sell all of its interests in the Martin Linge field (51%) and Garantiana discovery (40%) on the Norwegian Continental Shelf to Statoil for USD1.45bn with an effective date of January 1st, 2017.Statoil will also receive remaining tax balances with a nominal post-tax value of more than USD 1 billion.
Martin Linge is a long life oil and gas development with estimated recoverable resources in excess of 300 mmboe. Originally scheduled to come onstream in 2017, first production is now expected in 2019 following a series of project delays and cost increases including a tragic accident at the Samsung ship yard in South Korea where the topside is being completed.
Martin Linge is being developed with a manned wellhead platform - the jacket substructure is already installed on location, while the topside is being completed at the Samsung yard in South-Korea and will be transported to Norway early 2018.
Operations will be controlled remotely from an onshore digital operations centre, enabling reduced operational expenditures. Electrification is made possible through a 160 km cable from shore, the longest AC power link in the world. This will reduce CO2 emissions by 200,000 tonnes per year. Following completion of the transaction, Statoil will increase from 19% to a 70% interest in the field.
Arnaud Breuillac, President, Exploration & Production at Total commented "The forthcoming acquisition of the Maersk Oil portfolio, which will make Total the second largest operator in the North Sea, leads us to review our portfolio in this area so as to focus on the assets in which Total will be able to generate synergies and reduce their breakeven points. In this context, given that Martin Linge is Total's only operated asset in Norway, there is limited scope to optimise operations, whereas with Statoil’s leading operating position on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, Statoil is in a better position to optimize this asset for the benefit of all stakeholders. We are therefore satisfied with the agreement with Statoil, a long time trusted partner, which in addition, offers us a satisfactory value for this asset. Norway remains a strategic country for Total as one of the largest contributors to the Group's production and we of course intend to continue bringing our expertise to Norway by focusing in particular on major non-operated assets such as Ekofisk, Snohvit and Johan Sverdrup."
Statoil's EVP for D&P Norway commented "This transaction adds competitive growth assets to our portfolio on the Norwegian continental shelf. The Martin Linge project features innovative solutions to enhance safety, capture value and reduce emissions, in line with our strategy. By leveraging Statoil’s operational experience and existing contracts, we can realise additional opportunities and synergies from these assets."
The transaction involves the transfer of relevant employees from Total to Statoil and remains subject to final due diligence and approval from the relevant authorities. The transaction will increase Statoil's stake in Martin Linge from 19% to 70% with the DFI holding the remaining 30%.
