– We fear that this will exceed the level of service, especially in the districts, says Skorge, who is also a member of the Agrol board of directors.

In 2010, Statoil Gas Stations was spun off as a separate company and listed on the stock exchange. The Canadian Alimentation Couche-Tard will take over Statoil Fuel & Retail (SFR), which owns, among other things, more than 500 service stations in Norway. Major shareholder Statoil accepted the offer of NOK 8.6 billion for its 54 percent stake. According to E24, the Canadians are offering NOK 15.9 billion for all SFR shares.

Chief union representative Ketil Johannessen at SFR also believes that the district’s offer could be postponed until after the buyout.

– It is easier for a foreign owner to ignore districts than for a Norwegian company. We have already experienced strong centralization and I don’t think it will be easier to end it now, says Johannessen.

– Positive with Norwegian owners

Couche-Tard says it will continue SFR’s existing strategy. The farmers’ association, on the other hand, is skeptical about the future. According to Skorge, the Farmers’ Association views SFR’s Norwegian ownership as positive and he mentions, among other things, solution-oriented contacts in cases where Statoil has had difficulty operating the gas stations. Skorge fears that the possibilities for this type of dialogue are diminishing.

– We had a good dialogue to ensure easy access to fuel in the neighborhoods. Bringing in a player who doesn’t have that history with him and who we perceive as even more focused on returns, makes us fear for the supply, especially in rural areas. We are skeptical that this will have a positive impact on the level of service, says Skorge.

No reaction

Johannessen is disappointed that Norway’s last and only domestically-built distribution company is being sold out of the country without any political backlash.

– It’s bad, especially since we have a red-green government, he said.

Read also : The left fears a furtive intervention by Statoil in Oslo

Johannessen grapples with Statoil’s sale decision.

– We consider the sale a betrayal on the part of Statoil’s management, says Johannessen, and refers to promises that Statoil would be a secure and long-term owner when SFR was split. According to Johannessen, the sale bears the mark of a hasty sale and comes far too early for the young company.

He fears that the new owner will separate and realize values ​​​​in the real estate and operations of SFR.

– This is what often happens when large foreign companies buy Norwegian operations, explains Johannessen, who is also concerned about long-term working conditions.