Norwegian oil and gas major Statoil ASA (STO) said Thursday that with its partners it has made the investment decision for a joint oil export solution for the Edvard Grieg and Ivar Aasen fields in the Norwegian North Sea.

	
	
	
	 MAIN FACTS: 
-The oil will be transported via a 43-kilometre oil pipeline from Edvard Grieg to the Grane oil pipeline, and then on to Sture.

-The transport solution is a precondition for developing the Edvard Grieg (operated by Lundin) and Ivar Aasen (operated by Det norske oljeselskap) fields.

-Edvard Grieg is scheduled to start producing in 2015 and Ivar Aasen in 2016.

-The new pipeline will be called the Edvard Grieg oil pipeline.

-Statoil is a partner in both fields and operator for the joint venture for oil transport.

-A plan for installation and operation (PIO) has been submitted to the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy.

-The PIO is expected to be approved this autumn.

-Pipeline production will be completed in 2013.

-Pipeline coating will be completed in 2014.

-Installation of new connection point in the Grane oil pipeline will be carried out in connection with the planned shutdown of Grane in the spring of 2014.

-Pipeline installation in the summer of 2014 and tie-in operations in 2015, so it will be ready for the start of production in the autumn of 2015.

-At GMT shares traded 1% higher at NOK126.80.