Norway’s Ministry of Petroleum and Energy received license applications from 26 companies for the Awards in the latest licensing round for exploration areas on the Norwegian shelf (APA 2022).
The Ministry announced APA 2022 on June 14, encompassing the predefined areas with blocks in the North Sea, Norwegian Sea, and Barents Sea. The APA area is being expanded as geological knowledge in areas on the Norwegian shelf increases, authorities said. Since APA 2021, the predefined areas have been expanded by 28 blocks in the Barents Sea.
“We need exploration and new discoveries to maintain the production of oil and gas over time, which is important both for Norway and Europe. The applications in TFO 2022 show very good interest among the companies active on the Norwegian continental shelf in exploring for new petroleum resources,” said Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Terje Aasland.
Most of the companies that are active on the Norwegian shelf have submitted applications in this year's APA, authorities said. The application deadline was Sept. 12.
Production license awards are expected to be announced early 2023.