Norwegian energy company Statoil sells off a portion of its holdings in Marcellus shale basin in the United States. Photo by Calin Tatu/Shutterstock STAVANGER, Norway, Dec. 23 (UPI) — After suspending some rig work to save capital, Norwegian energy company Statoil said Tuesday it sold acreage in a key U.S. shale play for $394 million. Statoil said it sold a 6 percent stake in the Marcellus shale play to U.S. company Southwestern Energy, leaving the Norwegian company with a non-operated 23 percent interest in the region. Statoil in 2008 entered Marcellus through a joint venture with Chesapeake Energy and now says the divestment is part of its optimization strategy. “I am delighted that we have concluded this important transaction with Southwestern despite the turbulence in today’s energy markets,” John Knight, executive vice president for global business development at Statoil, said in a statement. Statoil in early December suspended contracts […]