Supplies are to be carried by sea between Statoil's bases in Norway rather than by road following an overhaul of this service.
The new strategy will mean savings of NOK 140 million by 2003 compared with the level of costs in 1999, reports Nils Birger Kobbeltvedt, northern region supply manager.
These new arrangements extend initially from Stavanger to Kristiansund in mid-Norway, taking in Bergen and Florø.
Supplies are currently transported by lorry between these points, which service Statoil's operations on the Norwegian continental shelf.
The change in part covers consignments of production deliveries, which embrace everything from food to valves and drilling equipment.
This part of the project alone could trim NOK 50 million annually from Statoil's bills, says Mr Kobbeltvedt.
He adds that the group is due to award a contract to a transporter/contractor for shipments by sea between the bases. Their jetties need to be converted before the scheme can come into operation.
Statoil is in touch with other Norwegian offshore operators with a view to taking on additional supply assignments.