Fossil Energy – Offshore Norway
The Norwegian Ministry of Energy has received applications from 21 companies in connection with the announcement of the license round for the best-known exploration areas on the Norwegian continental shelf.
“It is very gratifying that the companies still have great faith in the opportunities that lie in further exploration on the Norwegian continental shelf. Exploration and new discoveries are crucial to slowing the expected fall in production in the 2030s. That we succeed in identifying and developing new fields is not only important for employment, value creation and government income here at home. It is also important for energy security in Europe,” says Minister of Energy Terje Aasland.
Awards in predefined areas (APA) is the annual licensing round for the best-known exploration areas on the Norwegian continental shelf that are not already licensed. It comprises the majority of the available exploration areas.
APA 2024 was announced May 8th 2024. By the application deadline of September 3rd, the Ministry had received applications from a total of 21 companies. The Ministry does not publish the total number of applications because of competitive considerations.
List of companies that have applied: A/S Norske Shell, Aker BP ASA, Concedo AS, ConocoPhillips Skandinavia AS, DNO Norge AS, Equinor Energy AS, INPEX Idemitsu Norge AS, Lime Petroleum AS, M Vest Energy AS, OKEA ASA, OMV (Norge) AS, Pandion Energy AS, Petrolia NOCO AS, PGNiG Upstream Norway AS, Repsol Norge AS, Source Energy AS, Sval Energi AS, TotalEnergies EP Norge AS, Vår Energi ASA, Wellesley Petroleum AS and Wintershall Dea Norge AS.
Before licenses can be granted for petroleum activity in an area on the Norwegian continental shelf, the area must be open for petroleum activities. Production licenses can only be granted in areas that are open and accessible for petroleum activities.
