The Norwegian state is the majority shareholder in Statoil, and also holds a 40% stake in Norsk Hydro.

BBC: Norwegian gas giants avoid EU fines

Unlike any previous blocks, it is to be operated by Sonangol, with technical assistance from Norway's Norsk Hydro.

ECONOMIST: Angolan oil: Drilling down | The

Norsk Hydro also said it would delay the planned restart of idled capacity at its Sunndal smelter in Norway.

FORBES: Some Aluminum Production Dips Below Costs; Output Cuts Likely If Condition Persists

And of course Vale's big shareholding in Norsk will give it continuing exposure to aluminium for the time being.

ECONOMIST: An acquisition in aluminium

Norsk Hydro's President and chief executive, Eivind Reiten, also said he was satisfied.

BBC: Norwegian gas giants avoid EU fines

This is great if all you do is run the smelter (as Norsk Hydro does for example, not being an integrated producer).

FORBES: Rio Tinto's Aluminium Problems: And They're Only Going To Get Worse

The smelter, to be built by Norwegian multinational Norsk Hydro and a consortium of Icelandic banks, is expected to give a good return to its investors if forecast increasing global demand for aluminium exports materializes.

CNN: Iceland locked in national dam dispute