Press Release

No: 53/99
Date: 23.09.99

Ormen Lange – award of shares in a part of block 6305/8

The Ormen Lange gas discovery, located in production licences 208 and 209, was discovered in 1997. The discovery extends into non-licenced acreage, block 6305/8. Preliminary resource estimates from the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate show that Ormen Lange is the 2nd largest gas discovery on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

Today the Government has decided to offer the following companies participating shares in a part of block 6305/8:

Norsk Hydro is the operator for Production Licence 209 and BP is the operator for Production Licence 208. Shell has large shares in both licences. Offering Shell the operatorship in block 6305/8 will contribute to the active use of Shell's broad technological competence in the development of the resources in the Ormen Lange field.

Map is to be found at the Ministry's Internet pages:

http://odin.dep.no/oed/

Contact: Sissel Edvardsen, +47 22 24 61 09