The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (MPE) today issued 10 new production licences, including new exploration acreage in the southeastern Barents Sea.
The opening of 23rd installment marked 50 years since the first Norwegian licensing round. Its 10 licences have been handed out to 13 companies.
Minister Tord Lien said: “Today starts a new chapter in Norwegian petroleum activities. For the first time in over 20 years, we will explore new areas for exploration. This will help to lay the foundation for profitable jobs and contribute to growth and value creation in Norway. Now it is Northern Norway’s turn to write the next chapters in the Norwegian petroleum adventure.
“The Barents Sea offers major new opportunities. Interest from the industry show that the Norwegian continental shelf is still attractive. The first drilling is planned as early as next year. The potential is huge. Hitting companies blink, this will mean a great deal of added value and jobs in Norway in the years ahead.”
Statoil, Tullow Oil, Chevron, Capricorn Norway, Centrica Resources, ConocoPhillips Skandinavia, DEA Norway, Norwegian Oil Compnay, Idemitsu Petroleum Norway, Lukoil, OMV, PGNig Upstream and Lundin were all awarded licences.
Tord Lein added: “We have almost 40 years experience with petroleum activities in the Barents Sea. The natural conditions in the areas we currently offer are known from other parts of the Norwegian continental shelf where there is already petroleum activity. No petroleum activities on the Norwegian continental shelf implemented unless it can be done in a proper manner. It also applies in areas that are currently awarded in the Barents Sea.”
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