Norway: The Norwegian government is to offer institutional investors 100 million shares of the oil group STATOIL, which will reduce its stake from 76.3% to 70.9%, if the offer is taken up in full. The price per share will be 106.1 NOK, which is just under the going rate (107 NOK). On the basis of current market prices, this would bring in just under 10.7 billion Norwegian kroner for the State. This offer will be followed by another, aimed at private investors this time, of 17.65 million shares. If this operation is successful, the State's stake would then drop to around 70%. The government's long-term plan is to reduce its stake in STATOIL to 66.6%.