425

Filed pursuant to Rule 425
of the Securities Act of 1933
Filer:  Statoil ASA
Filer’s Exchange Act File No.: 1-15200
Norsk Hydro’s Exchange Act File No.: 1-9159

 

27 April 2007 Statoil ASA issues take-over bid for North American Oil Sands Corporation

Forward looking Statements

This Presentation contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts, including, among others, statements such as those regarding Statoil’s oil and gas production forecasts; plans for future development and operation of projects; reserve information; expected exploration and development activities; estimated capital expenditures; expected start-up of new projects; expected operatorships and expected acquisitions of assets are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are sometimes, but not always, identified by such phrases as “will”, “expects”, “is expected to”, “should”, “may”, “is likely to”, “intends” and “believes”. These forward-looking statements reflect current views with respect to future events and are, by their nature, subject to significant risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including levels of industry product supply, demand and pricing; currency exchange rates; political and economic policies of Canada, Norway and other oil-producing countries; general economic conditions; political stability and economic growth in relevant areas of the world; global political events and actions, including war, terrorism and sanctions; the timing of bringing new fields on stream; material differences from reserves estimates; inability to find and develop reserves; adverse changes in tax regimes; development and use of new technology; geological or technical difficulties; the actions of competitors; the actions of field partners; the actions of governments; relevant governmental approvals; industrial actions by workers; prolonged adverse weather conditions; natural disasters and other changes to business conditions. Additional information, including information on factors which may affect Statoil’s business, is contained in Statoil’s 2006 Annual Report on Form 20-F/A filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, which can be found on Statoil’s web site at www.statoil.com.

 

The transaction

 

North American Oil Sands Corporation

 

Canadian Extra Heavy Oil (EHO)

Crude oil reserves ranked by country billion barrels as of year-end 2005

Source: Oil and Gas Journal, Alberta Energy and Utilities Board, Canadian National Energy Noard, JPMorgan

 

Strategic rationale for acquisition

 

Strong competence base

 

Excelling the Statoil/NAOSC portfolio

 

The acquisition of NAOSC….


Notice relating to Statoil registration statement relating to the Statoil Hydro merger

An offer of securities in the United States pursuant to the Statoil-Hydro business combination transaction will only be made through a prospectus which is part of an effective registration statement filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Norsk Hydro shareholders who are US persons or are located in the United States are advised to read the registration statement when and if it is declared effective by the US Securities and Exchange Commission because it will contain important information relating to the proposed transaction. You will be able to inspect and copy the registration statement relating to the proposed transaction and documents incorporated by reference at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Statoil’s SEC filings are also available to the public at the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, Statoil will make the effective registration statement available for free to Norsk Hydro’s shareholders in the United States.

 

Statoil ASA issues take-over bid for North American Oil Sands Corporation

 


Disclaimer:

This press release does not constitute an offer to exchange or sell or an offer to exchange or buy any securities.

An offer of securities in the United States pursuant to a business combination transaction will only be made through a prospectus which is part of an effective registration statement filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Hydro shareholders who are US persons or are located in the United States are advised to read the registration statement when and if it is declared effective by the US Securities and Exchange Commission because it will contain important information relating to the proposed transaction. You will be able to inspect and copy the registration statement relating to the proposed transaction and documents incorporated by reference at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Statoil’s SEC filings are also available to the public at the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. In addition Statoil will make the effective registration statement available for free to Hydro shareholders in the United States.