Statoil has exercised its option for a three-year extension of its minor modifications frame agreement with Aker Solutions for the Mongstad refinery, located on Norway's west coast.

Aker Solutions estimates the contract value to be approximately NOK 360 million ($64 million), it said.

The original frame agreement at the Mongstad refinery commenced in January 2006 and lasts until the end of 2011.

Scope of work includes studies and execution of modifications to increase operational stability, capacity and longevity. A total of 100 people at Aker Solutions' office in Bergen will work on the Mongstad contract.

"We are very pleased that Statoil has renewed their trust in Aker Solutions. The Mongstad contract enables further growth for our Bergen office," said executive vice president for maintenance, modifications and operations, Tore Sjursen.