The Board of Directors of Hydro and Statoil have agreed to recommend to their shareholders a merger of Hydro’s oil and gas activities with Statoil, creating the world’s largest offshore operator with a strengthened platform for future growth. The new company will have a combined production of 1.9 million barrels per day in 2007 and proven oil and gas reserves of 6.3 billion barrels of oil equivalents. Hydro will continue as a leading, focused global aluminium company. Hydro’s shareholders will hold 32.7% and Statoil’s shareholders will hold 67.3% of the new company. Hydro’s shareholders will receive 0.8622 shares in the new company for each Hydro share and continue as owners of Hydro. Statoil shareholders will maintain their holdings in the new company on a one-for-one basis. The Norwegian State will hold 62.5% in the merged entity. The proposed merger is subject to approval by the general meetings of the two companies as well as by regulatory authorities. The general meetings are expected to be held during second quarter 2007. Final closing is expected to be in the third quarter 2007. In the meantime, Hydro and Statoil will be managed as separate companies.
