Operators interested in exploring mature areas offshore Norway may apply to the National Petroleum Directorate (NPD) for petroleum production licenses until midday Aug. 27.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy opened the Awards in Predefined Areas (APA) 2019 round on May 29 and announced the addition of 90 blocks.
Of the new blocks, 5 are in the North Sea, 37 in the Norwegian Sea, and 48 in the Barents Sea.
Applications and instructions for electronically filing them and formal application letters are on the website of the NPD, which plans to award licenses early in 2020.
Award criteria include applicants’ geological understanding of the area, experience on the Norwegian continental shelf, and financial capability.
Applicants and government officials will negotiate issues such as production license area, work obligation details, and duration of the initial period of the license and of the license beyond the initial period.