Sokkeldirektoratet

APA 2023: Still significant interest for exploration in mature areas

edgeoya.jpg

The photo shows Edge Island with outcropping Triassic source rock of the Steinkobbe-/Botneheia Formation. Photo: Bjørn Anders Lundschien/the NPD.

8/29/2023 The authorities have received applications from 25 companies in the Awards in Predefined Areas (APA) 2023.

Almost all companies that are active on the Norwegian shelf have submitted applications in this year's APA. The application deadline was 23 August 2023.

"It's gratifying to note the continuing significant interest in investigating new exploration acreage among almost all active companies on the Norwegian contintental shelf, and that we see an increased interest in the Barents Sea this year," says Kalmar Ildstad, Director licence management in the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate.

The NPD is now commencing the work of evaluating the applications, with focus on geological understanding and plans for exploring the areas.

Offers announced early in 2024

When production licences are awarded, emphasis is also placed on the companies' technical expertise and experience, as well as their financial strength.

The authorities plan to announce which companies will be offered shares in APA 2023 early in the new year – 2024.

Press release from the Ministry of Petroleum on APA 2023 

More about APA 2023 

 

Contact

Ola Anders Skauby

Director Communication, public affairs and emergency response

Tel: +47 905 98 519

Updated: 8/29/2023

Latest news

Drilling permit for wellbore 34/8-20 S and 34/8-20 A
7/9/2025 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted Equinor Energy AS drilling permit for wellbore 34/8-20 S and 34/8-20 A in production licence 554 E.
Drilling permit for wellbore 31/4-A-15 B
6/30/2025 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted OKEA ASA drilling permit for wellbore 31/4-A-15 B in production licence 055.
Oil discovery near the Johan Castberg field in the Barents Sea (7220/7-CD-1H)
6/30/2025 Equinor and its partners have made an oil discovery in the "Drivis Tubåen" prospect.
Check out our key figures in new visualisations!
6/27/2025 Now you have a quick and easy way to extract key figures associated with petroleum activities on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) in an interactive dashboard.
Drilling permit for wellbore 6506/12-PB-3 H
6/26/2025 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted Equinor Energy AS drilling permit for wellbore 6506/12-PB-3 H in production licence 094.
Dry well in the North Sea (25/11-30 S)
6/26/2025 Equinor and its partners have drilled a dry well on the «Lit» prospect in the North Sea.
Dry well in the Norwegian Sea (6405/7-4)
6/25/2025 Aker BP and its partners have drilled a dry well on the “Rondeslottet” prospect in the Norwegian Sea.
Drilling permit for wellbore 15/8-3 S
6/23/2025 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted Equinor Energy AS drilling permit for wellbore 15/8-3 S in production licence 1137.
Production figures May 2025
6/20/2025 Preliminary production figures for May 2025 show an average daily production of 1 980 000 barrels of oil, NGL and condensate.
Appraisal well confirms oil discovery in the Norwegian Sea (6507/5-12 S)
6/19/2025 ConocoPhillips Skandinavia AS, operator of production licence 891, has concluded drilling of the second appraisal well, 6507/5-12 S, on the 6507/5-10 S (Slagugle) oil discovery .