From the autumn of 2002, Statoil will sell methanol to customers in Canada and the USA. The group has signed a long-term lease agreement with Vopak Terminals of Canada for storage of methanol in Montreal.
The global distribution and marketing company Ameritx, based in Shelton, Connecticut, will market and sell the product.
Statoil is one of Europe's largest producers and marketers of methanol, producing 870,000 tonnes per year at its Tjeldbergodden industrial complex in mid-Norway.
"Since we started producing methanol in 1997, the main focus has been on the European market," says Jan Wahlqvist, vice president for methanol marketing in Statoil's Manufacturing & Marketing business area. "But Tjeldbergodden is favourably positioned to be able to supply methanol to North America as well as Europe."
"We have decided to sell methanol in North America because we want to adapt to changes in the market which is becoming increasingly competitive We have also increased output at the plant over the past few years. Now we want to gain positions in a new and important market," concludes Mr Wahlqvist.