Clariant, the Swiss specialty chemicals producer, has signed an eight-year framework contract with Statoil to supply production chemicals and services for the Johan Sverdrup oil field in Norway. The contract, which took effect from Jul. 1, contains an option for a four-year extension option, totaling 12 years.

In particular, said Frode Bekkestad, managing director of Clariant Oil Services Scandinavia, the highly contested bid process for the long-term contract shows the confidence Statoil has in Clariant’s capabilities to provide supply of innovative chemicals and services to meet their needs. This will continue to strengthen Clariant Oil Services’ position as a major supplier in the oil production chemicals market in the North Sea,” he said.

The largest offshore oil find in the Norwegian continental shelf in 30 years, the Johan Sverdrup field is estimated to hold between 1.7 billion and 3.0 billion barrels of oil equivalents. When fully developed, it is expected to produce 550,000 to 650,000 barrels of oil per day.

Statoil has been named operator for all phases of field production by the Johan Sverdrup partnership, which consists of Statoil, Lundin Norway, Petoro, Det Norske Oljeselskap and Maersk Oil.