Sixteen oil firms nominate blocks for next Norwegian licensing round

Norway's Ministry of Petroleum and Energy has received nominations from 16 companies seeking blocks to be included in the 17th licensing round on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. The ministry aims to announce the blocks in December. Awards could occur before summer 2002.

Oct. 1, 2001

By the OGJ Online Staff

LONDON, Oct. 1 -- Norway's Ministry of Petroleum and Energy has received nominations from 16 companies seeking blocks to be included in the 17th licensing round on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

The ministry aims to announce the blocks in December. Awards could occur before summer 2002.

The companies nominated 93 blocks in the Norwegian Sea. The ministry said it will base offerings in the licensing round on these nominations.

Petroleum Minister Olav Akselsen said, "It is important to continue to explore the Norwegian Sea for petroleum resources and that due considerations are made to the important interests of the environment and the fisheries".

Nominating tracts were Norkse Agip AS, Amerada Hess Norge AS, BP PLC, Norske Chevron AS., Norske Conoco AS, Dong Eferforskning og Produktion AS, Enterprise Oil Norwegian AS, ExxonMobil Corp., Fortum Petroleum AS, Norsk Hydro, Paladin Resources Norge AS, Phillips Petroleum Norske AS, RWE-DEA Norge AS, Norske Shell AS, Statoil, and TotalFinaElf Exploration Norge AS.