Revised guidelines for production permit applications

nyhetsbilder_od33-2.jpg

14/09/2020 Revised guidelines for production permit applications will be published in early October.

The main rule is that licensees shall apply for a joint permit for oil, gas and injection, as well as flaring and cold venting, for the upcoming calendar year.

The application deadline is 1 November. The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (MPE) will issue the production permits.

Simplification and streamlining

The revision is a step in the ongoing simplification and streamlining work in the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD). New guidelines for the Annual status report for fields in operation (ASR) were published in early September this year, and submission of ASR for fields in operation now has the same deadline as reporting in connection with the Revised National Budget (RNB).

Linking production permit applications to submission of RNB and ASR will make it easier and less labour-intensive for the companies to apply for production permits, and for the authorities to process them.

What the guidelines cover

The guidelines cover permits for production and injection, as well as flaring and cold venting for:

  • Fields in production/operation as well as other facilities that shall apply for permits for flaring/cold venting
  • Production permits in connection with start-up of new and shut down fields and facilities
  • Production permits for gas for fields with special needs

Fields that are in production or operation

The most recently submitted RNB dataset (expected value) is used as a basis in connection with applications for production and injection permits, unless otherwise agreed with the MPE.

The information and data in the most recently submitted RNB and ASR are used as a basis for flaring and cold venting permits, in addition to data reported in the appendix to ASR (Table 6.2). Facilities that do not submit ASR will also find the necessary form in the appendix to the Annual status report.

In the production permit application, it is thus sufficient that the licensee confirms that the application is based on the most recently submitted RNB dataset and the Annual status report. 

Applications for production permits shall be submitted to the MPE with a copy to the NPD by the applicable deadlines. Authority Communication shall be used.

 

Updated: 02/10/2020

Latest news

Improved NCS map
21/02/2025 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate’s FactMaps have been upgraded, making it easier to use the service.
Dry well in the Norwegian Sea (6306/6-3 S)
21/02/2025 Aker BP ASA and its partners have drilled a dry well in the “Bounty Updip” prospect in the Norwegian Sea.
Minor increase in oil and gas resources on the NCS
20/02/2025 Total petroleum resources on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) saw a minor increase last year, according to last year’s "inventory" – the Resource Accounts for 2024.
Production figures January 2025
20/02/2025 Preliminary production figures for January 2025 show an average daily production of 1 990 000 barrels of oil, NGL and condensate.
Drilling permit for wellbore 7220/7-CD-1 H
10/02/2025 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted Equinor Energy AS drilling permit for wellbore 7220/7-CD-1 H in production licence 532, cf. Section 13 of the Resource Management Regulations.
CO2 storage on the Norwegian shelf could become a new industry
07/02/2025 Last year, more licences were granted for storing CO2 on the Norwegian continental shelf than ever before.
Dry well in the North Sea (35/6-5 S)
06/02/2025 Aker BP ASA and its partners have drilled a dry well in the “Njargasas” prospect in the North Sea.
Consultation – proposed new Regulation on data collection and documentation for mineral activities on the continental shelf
05/02/2025 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate (NOD) is presenting proposed new Regulation on data collection and documentation for mineral activities on the continental shelf.
Drilling permit for wellbore 7/1-4 S
31/01/2025 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted Vår Energi ASA drilling permit for wellbore 7/1-4 S in production licence 1090, cf. Section 13 of the Resource Management Regulations.
Dry well in the Norwegian Sea (6305/10-1)
22/01/2025 Orlen Upstream Norway and its partner Norske Shell have drilled a dry well, wildcat well 6305/10-1 “Tomcat”, in the southern part of the Norwegian Sea.