STAVANGER (dpa-AFX) - Statoil ASA (STO) said late Monday that it is preparing to resume production at installations that have been affected by a strike, after the government decided to impose compulsory arbitration in the pay settlement for the Norwegian continental shelf.
According to the company, Norwegian Minister of Labour Hanne Bjurstrøm has informed the parties in the offshore pay settlement that the government will propose to Parliament that the conflict be resolved by compulsory arbitration. At the request of the minister the parties are to resume work as soon as possible. The lockout that has been announced for the Norwegian continental shelf will therefore not come into force.
On July 5, the Norwegian Oil Industry Association announced an impending lockout for all members of the unions Industry Energy, the Organisation of Energy Personnel and the Norwegian Organisation of Managers and Executives affected by the offshore agreement.
The lockout was due to come into force on Monday July 9 at 24:00, but instead, the parties will meet in the national wage arbitration tribunal that will make a binding decision in the on-going labor dispute.
Statoil installations that have been affected by the labour dispute are the Oseberg Field Centre, Oseberg South, Oseberg East, Oseberg C, Heidrun, Huldra, Veslefrikk and Brage.
The company said production from the affected installations will be resumed as quickly as possible. It may take from 1 to 2 days to get production started and the fields are expected to be back in full production within a week, Statoil added.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
