statoilhydro - fit for partner?, page-25

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Back then they were Statoil then StatoilHydro and have since merged with another Norwegian company to become Statoil ASA, so in effect they are a new company that has not previously operated in Australia.

Statoil have stated early in 2009 that they are specifically interested in the areas that contains Artemis and Tassie Shoals. Statoil are also experts in Methanol.

As for Statoil being majority state owned and therefore not independent, well neither is Petrobras but everyone seems to overlook that. The big difference between them is the Brazilian (I like that word, so smooth and....sorry got off track)government has a history (recent) of interfering in Petrobras business affairs, whereas Statoil (privatised several years back) does not have this problem. Between Petrobras and Statoil, only Statoil can be described as Independent.

As for tremendous brand name and reputation, Statoil is the ducks guts in the Northern hemisphere. Repsol also fits the bill and the Repsol brand is known world wide due to motoGP sponsorship.