In 2012 Statoil increased oil sands production by more than 60% and reduced CO2 intensity by almost 24%. These results are published in the Statoil 2012 Oil Sands Report today.

The report demonstrate clear progress in reaching ambitious targets for responsible oil sands production in Canada.

The Oil Sands Report contains performance indicators which measure production and energy consumption – as well as emissions intensity and quality and use of air, water and land – at the Leismer Demonstration Project and in the Kai Kos Dehseh (KKD) leases in northern Alberta.

"In 2012 we increased oil sands production by more than 60% and reduced CO2 intensity by almost 24%. We reduced water usage, improved our steam-oil ratio and planted 267,000 trees to reclaim land. We are proud of the results we have achieved and are encouraged to continue our efforts to reach our ambitious targets," says Statoil's senior vice president in Canada, Ståle Tungesvik.

Production at Leismer began in January 2011 and is a steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) facility. In 2012 Statoil produced 16,333 barrels per day on average and achieved a steam-oil ratio of 2.5 at Leismer, improved from 2.7 in 2011, and almost 17% better than expected when the facility was designed.

Statoil's ambition is to reduce carbon dioxide intensity in its production process by 25% by 2020 and 40% by 2025. Average CO2 emissions per barrel in 2012 were 55.6 kilograms, down from 72.7 kilograms in 2011.

Statoil is committed to the environment and communities in which it operates. The 2012 Oil Sands Report will form the foundation for the company's continued effort to communicate openly with stakeholders about environmental and socio-economic impacts, and contributions from its oil sands activity.

"Statoil will continue to report publically on our performance and progress on reaching our targets for responsible development of our oil sands assets," says Tungesvik.

"We will continue to invest in technology development and implementation in order to minimize our impact on the environment, improve efficiency and recovery and reduce energy usage and our carbon footprint," he says.

The 2012 Oil Sands Report is audited by an independent third party.