Aker Solutions secured a contract from Statoil to provide maintenance and modifications services for the Mariner oilfield development in the UK North Sea.

The five-year framework agreement also has extension options for a total of four years. Aker Solutions' Aberdeen operations will manage the contract work.

"Mariner is the largest new offshore development in the UK in more than a decade and will lead to substantial job creation in the Aberdeen region," said David Currie, regional president for Aker Solutions in the UK. "We are delighted to take part in this important development and to build on our strong partnership with Statoil."

Aker Solutions will deliver the maintenance planning system in the pre-operations phase of the development, as well as support services during the hook-up and commissioning phase. The contract includes maintenance and modifications services after the field is set to start production in 2017.

"We want to build long-term, high-performance relationships with our key suppliers," said Gunnar Breivik, managing director of Statoil Production (U.K.) Limited in Aberdeen. "We know Aker Solutions well from the Norwegian continental shelf and are looking forward to working closely with its UK organization in the years to come."

The Mariner heavy oil field, discovered in 1981, is located on the East Shetland platform of the UK North Sea about 150 kilometers east of the Shetland Isles.

Both parties agreed not to disclose the contract value.

About Aker Solutions

Aker Solutions is a global provider of products, systems and services to the oil and gas industry. Our engineering, design and technology bring discoveries into production and maximize recovery from each petroleum field. We employ approximately 28,000 people in about 30 countries.

About Statoil

Statoil (OSE:STL, NYSE:STO) is an international energy company with operations in 34 countries. Building on 40 years of experience from oil and gas production on the Norwegian continental shelf, we are committed to accommodating the world's energy needs in a responsible manner, applying technology and creating innovative business solutions. We are headquartered in Stavanger, Norway with approx. 23,000 employees worldwide, and are listed on the New York and Oslo stock exchanges.