28 Aug 2001 Norske Skog Canada - new ownership share: 36.1 % Norske Skog Canada, where Norske Skog earlier had a 50.8 % shareholding, has now completed its acquisition of the company Pacifica Papers Inc. (Pacifica). The Pacifica shareholders could choose between two options: Either 2.1 shares in Norske Skog Canada for each Pacifica share, or 1 share in Norske Skog Canada plus CAD 7.50 as cash. Shareholders representing approx. 77 % of Pacifica's share capital chose the option of 2.1 shares in Norske Skog Canada. Norske Skog Canada will have 174.8 million shares after the acquisition of Pacifica. Norske Skog's ownership will subsequently be 36.1 %, and Norske Skog Canada will hereafter be treated as an affiliated company in the consolidated accounts. The new Norske Skog Canada is the third largest producer of publication paper in North America with a capacity of 1.9 million tonnes on four mills in British Columbia, meaning an average paper capacity per mill of close to 500,000 tonnes. The company also produces market pulp and containerboard, and had, on a pro forma basis, revenue of NOK 12 billion (CAD 2.1 billion) in the 12 month period ended 30 June, 2001. Synergies of NOK 350 million (CAD 60 million) are expected in connection with the combination of the two companies. Oxenøen, August 27 NORSKE SKOG Corporate Communications