Kvaerner sells its onshore construction business in North America to Matrix Service Company for an enterprise value of USD 80.3 million. The divestment enables Kvaerner to focus its efforts on further developing its upstream oil and gas business.

"This transaction is an important step in our strategy to focus our operations. All of Kvaerner's operations will now be focused on delivering offshore installations and onshore plants to our upstream oil and gas customers. The sale also provides us with increased strength to further develop Kvaerner's position in our target markets," says Jan Arve Haugan, President & CEO of Kværner ASA.

A definitive agreement was signed between Kværner AS and Matrix Service Company (Nasdaq: MTRX). In the transaction, Matrix will receive ownership of certain assets of Kvaerner North American Construction, Inc. in the US and the shares in Kvaerner North American Construction, Ltd. in Canada, (jointly the "Business"). The Business will continue to be led by their existing management and operational teams. In 2012, the Business delivered revenues of about USD 280 million and an EBITDA margin of approximately 5 percent. In total, the Business has about 200 employees in the US and Canada. Kvaerner will retain the assets and liabilities related to the contract with Longview Power LLC, including any financial effects of the arbitration.

John Hewitt, President and Chief Executive Officer of Matrix comments: "The Business has over 35 years of successful delivery of maintenance and capital construction services, and this transaction will provide Matrix Service Company with a unique service offering that complements and enhances our existing platform."

In line with the upstream focused strategy, Kvaerner will continue to develop its Houston based entity focusing on offshore field development, Kvaerner Field Development Inc. Following the sale, Kvaerner will not have any remaining operations in the US within the Downstream & Industrials segment, and remaining legacies within the segment will be presented as discontinued operations in the company's accounts going forward.

The transaction will be settled in cash at closing and is expected to be completed in late 2013, subject to anti-trust approval in the US. The financial effects of the transaction are expected to be recognised in Kvaerner's fourth quarter 2013 accounts subject to final closing.

About Matrix Service Company

Matrix Service Company provides engineering, fabrication, construction and maintenance services to Electrical Infrastructure, Oil Gas & Chemical, Storage Solutions and Industrial markets in North America. The Company is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with regional operating facilities in the United States and Canada.

About Kvaerner

Kvaerner is a leading provider of engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services, and delivers offshore installations and onshore plants for upstream oil and gas production around the world. Kværner ASA, through its subsidiaries and affiliates ("Kvaerner"), is an international contractor and preferred partner for oil and gas operators, industrial companies and other engineering and fabrication contractors. Kvaerner and its approximately 2 800 HSSE-focused and experienced employees are recognized for delivering some of the world's most demanding projects.

In 2012, the Kvaerner group reported consolidated annual revenues of close to NOK 11 billion and the company reported an order backlog at 30 September of almost NOK 27 billion. Kvaerner was publicly listed with the ticker "KVAER" at the Oslo Stock Exchange on 8 July 2011.