Statoil wishes to consider new oil and gas contracts in Libya but does not expect anything will happen soon.

“We believe it will take some time before Libya opens for new awards. The first priority now is to get production up to the old level,” head of information Bard Glad Pedersen said to NTB.

The company reopened its Tripoli office on 20 March after closing it for safety reasons in February 2011.

Country manager Jarle Bøe returned to Libya last month, telling Aftenbladet that the only damage to the building was a few bullet-holes on the 11 floor.

Less damage than feared

Prior to the start of the Allied campaign, Statoil participated in oil exploration and production as a partner of the onshore Mabruk field in the Murzuq Basin.

The company’s activities were around 1.3 percent of its international production, and yields in the last quarter of 2011 were 7,800 barrels per day

“The most important thing for us is to resume normal operations at our office. Our general impression is that damage to the plant and equipment is less than we first feared. We expect a gradual production increase in Libya in the coming months,” Mr Pedersen declared.

He added, “Our country office will be open to new opportunities that present themselves. Nonetheless, we assume that we have to compete for any new contracts and show that we can create value.”

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