The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) said it had received applications from 43 countries at the application deadline for awards in predefined areas (APAS) on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS).
The number is around the same time as last year with interest being greatest in the Norwegian Sea as well as the Barents Sea.
Sissel Eriksen, director of Exploration at the NPD, said: “We are pleased to see that so many companies have confidence in the APA-areas.
“We are pleased to see that so many companies have confidence in the APA-areas.
“Many companies continue to focus on the Norwegian Sea, where several oil and gas discoveries have been made in recent years.
“The number of applications has been fairly stable in past years, and we see that the APA scheme is important for maintaining the activity level and realising the value potential on the shelf.”
Technical assessment of the applications is now expected to start and the NPD will also evaluate the applicants geological concepts and exploration strategy for the areas.
This year it was possible to apply for a total of 127 608 square kilometres.
Since APA 2014, the pre-defined areas (APA areas) have increased by 35 blocks in the Norwegian Sea and 11 blocks in the Barents Sea.
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