The company is number two in the world based on the number of subsea wells (488), and the world's largest operator at depths greater than 100 metres. Statoil was in 2007 recognised as ”a Clear Leader” within subsea technology (external study. A.D. Little)

The development and use of new subsea technology provide great opportunities for enhanced oil recovery. This is an important focus area for Statoil on the Norwegian continental shelf and internationally. There is a gradual transfer from installations projecting above the sea surface to subsea installations.

The use of subsea plants allows small fields to be tied in to larger facilities and field centres. The life of existing platforms and infrastructure is thus extended, and subsea technology will in such cases help get more resources out of the field areas.

Progress within subsea technology also opens for development in ultra-deep waters. In areas without any infrastructure subsea plants may be tied directly in to processing facilities onshore. The production may be controlled from tied-in installations, or from land. The facilities will normally not be affected by extreme weather conditions.

The use of subsea technology contributes to more environmentally friendly development projects and operations offshore. Reduced ship and helicopter traffic in the operating phase helps cut emissions, at the same time as the use of remotely operated technology reduces the number of high-risk operations.