In Amenas is a wet gas field operated through a joint venture between Sonatrach, BP and Statoil.

Statoil's emergency response organisation is now mobilised, and we are now working to get an overview of the situation. Our main focus is the safety of the employees at the facility.

Algerian authorities are handling the situation locally, while Norwegian and British authorities have also been informed of the incident.

Statoil has just under 20 employees at the facility, and more than 10 of these are Norwegian.

Statoil is in contact with the families of employees at the facility. Affected persons are encouraged to get in contact by phone on (+47) 800 83 003.

Media inquiries should get in contact at (+47) 51 99 19 83/ (+47) 51 99 19 84.