Table 2 Financial highlights for licensees on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, included the state´s direct financial interest. 1997 and 1998

2	Financial highlights for licensees on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, included the state´s direct financial interest. 1997 and 1998

Key figures¹	All licensees		Of this the state's direct financial interest

Key figures¹	1997	1998	1997	1998

Number of enterprises	42	40	1	1
Employees as of 31 Dec.	24 517	26 503	-	-
	Mill. NOK
Operating income	264 279	205 732	76 023	57 599
Operating profit	109 420	58 413	45 422	25 329
Financial items, net	-10 025	-5 504	-43	-43
Profit before extraord. items	99 395	52 909	45 379	25 220
Profit before taxes	103 134	50 911	45 379	25 220
Annual profit	65 988	37 769	45 379	25 220
Current assets	53 101	50 437	8 463	5 873
Fixed assets	385 446	430 060	122 229	135 192
Short-term liabilities	73 156	68 656	7 468	6 970
Long-term liabilities	156 491	187 930	1 057	1 540
Equity	208 899	223 910	122 167	132 555
Total liabilities and equity	438 547	480 497	130 692	141 065
	Per cent
Return on total assets	24,5	12,9	.	.
Return on equity	30,3	18,3	.	.
Equity ratio	47,6	46,6	.	.
Current ratio	0,73	0,74	.	.

¹	Key figures per 31 December.