Parts of the Norwegian shelf can be opened for mineral activity
A section of a sulphide sample, obtained during an expedition to the Mohns Ridge in the Norwegian Sea in 2020. Photo: Øystein Leiknes Nag, Norwegian Offshore Directorate.
09/01/2024
Today, the Storting (Norwegian parliament) endorsed the Government’s proposal to open parts of the Norwegian continental shelf for exploration for and production of seabed minerals.
A final resolution will be made in the form of a Royal Decree.
The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has contributed to the opening process, among other things by coordinating work on the impact assessment and preparing a resource assessment.
We’ve mapped vast areas in the northern Norwegian Sea since 2017. We’ve taken samples and collected data about minerals and metals found on the seabed. We’ve done this by means of our own expeditions, and also in cooperation with expert communities at the universities in Tromsø and Bergen.
27/03/2025
The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted Equinor Energy AS drilling permit for wellbore 25/11-30 S in production licence 169, cf. Section 13 of the Resource Management Regulations.
18/03/2025
The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted Harbour Energy Norge AS drilling permit for wellbore 9/6-1 in production licence EXL006, cf. Section 13 of the Resource Management Regulations.
17/03/2025
The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted Aker BP ASA drilling permit for wellbore 6405/7-4 in production licence 1005, cf. Section 13 of the Resource Management Regulations.
11/03/2025
The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted Equinor Energy AS drilling permit for the wells 34/6-8 S and 34/6-8 A in production licence 554, cf. Section 13 of the Resource Management Regulations.
05/03/2025
On 5th of March 2025, the Ministry of Energy announced one area for CO2 storage pursuant to the CO2 Storage Regulations. This area comprises defined blocks in the North Sea.
