Bigger commitment to biodiesel

Statoil is expanding its involvement with biological fuels by mixing 5% biodiesel in normal autodiesel oil for sale in Norway.

“We’re continuously improving our fuels in order to make them better for the environment,” says Dag Roger Rinde, president of Statoil Norge AS.

“These efforts have made us a leading company in the field of biofuels.”

The new blend will initially be sold at all the group’s service stations in the east Norwegian counties of Hedmark, Oppland and Buskerud.

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel which helps to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles.

By next summer, stations in the other east Norwegian counties of Oslo, Akershus, Østfold, Vestfold and Telemark will sell the blend together with two sites in the south of the country.

Some 200 Statoil stations in Norway are expected to be offering the new product during the first six months of 2007.

Diesel oil containing 5% biodiesel meets the same technical specifications as regular autodiesel, including performance in cold weather.

All vehicles with diesel engines can run on such fuel without noticing any differences and without voiding the engine guarantee.

“Reducing carbon emissions represents one of the biggest environmental challenges of our age,” says Mr Rinde.

“Climate problems call for a global and national commitment by governments, industry and consumers.

“Land transport accounts for about 22% of Norway’s total carbon emissions, and biofuels can make a significant contribution to reducing this proportion.”

Further information from:
Knut Hansen, public affairs manager, Statoil Norge AS, mobile +47 91 73 80 53