Natural Gas (NG) is also responsible for marketing gas supplies originating from the Norwegian state's direct financial interest (SDFI). In total, we account for approximately 80% of all Norwegian gas exports and are responsible for the technical operations of the majority of the export pipelines and onshore plants in the processing and transportation system for Norwegian gas (Gassled*).

NG's business is conducted from three locations in Norway (Stavanger, Kårstø and Kollsnes) and from offices in Belgium, the UK, Germany, Turkey, Singapore, Azerbaijan and the USA (Houston and Stamford). 

In 2009, we sold 38.7 bcm (1.37 tcf) of natural gas from the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) on our own behalf, in addition to approximately 35.3 bcm (1.25 tcf) of NCS gas on behalf of the Norwegian state. Statoil's total European gas sales, including third party gas, amounted to 79.5 bcm (2.81 tcf) in 2009. That makes us the second largest gas supplier to Europe, with a market share of around 15% of the European gas market.

From our international positions, mainly Azerbaijan and the USA, we sold 5.3 bcm (0.19 tcf) of gas in 2009, 3.2 bcm (0.11 tcf) of which was entitlement gas.

We have a significant interest in the NCS pipeline system owned by Gassled, which is the world's largest offshore gas pipeline transportation system, totalling approximately 7800 kilometres. This network links gas fields on the NCS with processing plants on the Norwegian mainland, as well as terminals at six landing points located in France, Germany, Belgium and the United Kingdom, providing us with flexible access to customers throughout Europe.

*This system is owned by Gassled where Statoil has a 32.1% ownership.