"Statoil has decided to disengage from negotiations on block A5-A in Mozambique... We are not part of this any more, it is up to the other partners to make any moves regarding the stake," spokesman told Reuters.

Statoil, Eni, South Africa's Sasol and Mozambique's national oil and gas company ENH were awarded the exploration rights in the block of Mozambique's Northern Zambesi basin in 2015.