Norwegian energy company Statoil increased its oil and gas production by 17 per cent in the second quarter of 2012, compared to the same period last year, dpa quoted Statoil as announcing Thursday in Oslo. Net profits fell 2 per cent year-on-year to 26.6 billion krone (4.4 billion dollars) while net operating income increased 2 per cent to 62 billion krone. "Production in the second quarter was as expected and we maintain our production guidance for 2012," said Statoil chief executive Helge Lund. The company said it increased international production by 32 per cent year on year, including more than doubling its production in North America. It had also made two high-impact discoveries off the shore of Tanzania and Norway during the second quarter - bringing to eight the number of significant oil and gas discoveries in the last 15 months. Earlier July, a strike threatening to shut down the entire North Sea oil and gas production was averted at the last minute. Statoil also has significant exports, supplying 27 per cent of Germany's gas requirements.
