Clarington Volunteer Fire Department Chief Jim Hunt, left, thanks Andrew Winkle, Statoil’s vice president for U.S. onshore, for the donation of $35,000 that enabled the department to purchase new rescue equipment, part of which is commonly referred to as the “Jaws of Life”.

Statoil recently donated $35,000 to Clarington Volunteer Fire Department for a new vehicle extrication unit, also known as the Jaws of Life.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve had a sizable donation like this,” said CVFD Chief Jim Hunt.

This donation is part of the company’s efforts to demonstrate its support for community needs that local leaders have identified.

‘We are proud to support the Clarington Volunteer Department,” says Andrew Winkle, vice president for Statoil’s Marcellus Asset. ”A high focus on safety is very important to Statoil. We were very happy to contribute when we heard that they needed to upgrade their Jaws of Life unit. They provide an invaluable service to the local community.”

“We hope the equipment doesn’t have to be used too soon,” commented Doug Bannerman, Statoil’s head of Corporate Social Responsibility.

In addition to Clarington, the CVFD covers five townships. They go on 100-120 runs per year. The department receives $9,000 per year from coverage contracts, but the remainder of their fund raising comes from Bingo held at the fire hall every Thursday beginning with early bird at 6:30 p.m.

“We thank Statoil,” said Hunt. “We wish there were more companies that cared about the local fire department.”

The last time the CVFD purchased rescue equipment was in 1978.

In December 2012 Statoil acquired around 70,000 operated net acres in in the liquids rich part of the Marcellus shale in Ohio and West Virginia.

Statoil is also part of a joint venture in the Marcellus with Chesapeake which it entered into in 2008.

In total Statoil holds approximately 665,000 acres in the Marcellus play (net to Statoil) with production of around 96,300 barrels of oil equivalent per day from the play.

“We are going to be here in this area for a long time,” said Andrew Winkle, Statoil’s vice president for U.S. onshore. “We want to live and work together. Your problems are our problems. It was a pleasure to make the donation.”

Statoil is also an operator in the Bakken play in North Dakota. As of July this year has also taken on 50 percent of the operatorship of the Eagle Ford asset near San Antonio, Texas, it holds as part of a joint venture with Talisman.

Statoil is an international energy company with operations in 36 countries. Building on 40 years of experience from oil and gas production on the Norwegian continental shelf, they are committed to accommodating the world’s energy needs in a responsible manner, applying technology and creating innovative business solutions. Statoil is headquartered in Norway with 23,000 employees worldwide, and is listed on the New York and Oslo stock exchanges.

In North America, Statoil is established with US offices in Houston and Austin, Texas; Stamford, Conn.; Washington, D.C., and Anchorage, Alaska, and Canadian offices in Calgary, Alberta and St. Johns, Newfoundland and Labrador. The company also owns and operates the South Riding Point crude oil terminal in the Bahamas and has a representative office in Mexico City, Mexico. More information on Statoil can be found at www.statoil.com.