Norway’s National Authority for Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime, Økokrim, has informed StatoilHydro and Hydro that there will be no investigations related to the international activities of former company Hydro Oil & Energy.
Økokrim had been charged with investigating allegations that improper payments were made to a Libyan intermediary by Norsk Hydro, which is now part of StatoilHydro.
Økokrim received the external investigation reports from StatoilHydro and Hydro in October 2008.
In support of its decision, Økokrim stated that: “Any agreements or payments that might represent legal offences would in any case be statute-barred according to criminal law, and regarding other agreements or payments addressed by the investigations reports no reasonable grounds to proceed with investigations based on criminal law exist.”
Svein Rennemo, chair of the StatoilHydro board said: “We take note of Økokrim’s conclusions. Cooperating fully with the authorities has been important to StatoilHydro. Økokrim has had access to all documents desired from the external investigation. We look forward to closing this matter, enabling us to fully concentrate on the company’s industrial and commercial tasks.”Â
