APA 2023: Still significant interest for exploration in mature areas
The photo shows Edge Island with outcropping Triassic source rock of the Steinkobbe-/Botneheia Formation. Photo: Bjørn Anders Lundschien/the NPD.
29/08/2023
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.
17/01/2025
Vår Energi ASA and its partners found gas in the “Elgol” prospect; however, preliminary estimates indicate that the discovery is not profitable given current price assumptions.
14/01/2025
In the 2024 awards in pre-defined areas (APA), 20 companies have been offered ownership interests in a total of 53 production licences on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS).
09/01/2025
The Norwegian Offshore Directorate's summary of activity on the Norwegian continental shelf in 2024 shows that gas production is higher than ever.
08/01/2025
The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted DNO Norge AS drilling permit for wellbore 35/10-15 S in production licence 1182 S, cf. Section 13 of the Resource Management Regulations.
08/01/2025
The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted Aker BP ASA drilling permit for wellbore 6507/2-8 in production licence 942, cf. Section 13 of the Resource Management Regulations.
23/12/2024
The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted Vår Energi ASA drilling permit for wellbore7/1-3 in production licence 1090, cf. Section 13 of the Resource Management Regulations.
20/12/2024
The Norwegian Offshore Directorate is hosting a Technology Day on 5 June 2025 in Stavanger – and now you can nominate suggested lectures for the event.
