Oil and Gas
The petroleum industry is Norway's largest industry.
Norway’s oil history in 5 minutes
In the late 1950s, very few people believed that the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) might conceal rich oil and gas deposits. However, the discovery of gas at Groningen in the Netherlands in 1959 caused people to revise their thinking on the petroleum potential of the North Sea.
The service and supply industry
The service and supply industry is Norway’s second-largest industry measured in terms of turnover, after the oil and gas industry, and includes more than 1 250 companies. After more than 40 years of petroleum activities, the industry has developed cutting-edge expertise and is internationally competitive.
Gas exports from the Norwegian shelf
Norway is the third largest gas exporter in the world. Nearly all Norwegian gas is sold on the European market.
Related topics and insights
What's new
New and improved version of NorwegianPetroleum.no
The content about Norwegian petroleum activities is updated. The website is also improved to give a better user experience and overview of contents, especially on mobile phones.
High Interest in Continued Exploration Activity on the Norwegian Continental Shelf
The Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy offers 61 production licenses on the Norwegian continental shelf in the Award in Pre-Defined Areas 2020 (APA 2020).
Latest news
- The government presents its marine report, “Blue Oceans, Green Future” Press release 01/07/2021
- Awards in the 25th Licensing Round Press release 23/06/2021
- Energy to Work: Government publishes White Paper on long term value creation from Norway’s energy resources Press release 11/06/2021
- Announcement of Awards in Predefined Areas 2021 Press release 09/06/2021
- NTNU Energy Transition Conference Speech/statement 27/04/2021
- Seven applicants for area in the 25th licensing round Press release 25/02/2021
- Announcement of APA 2021 sent for public consultation Press release 25/02/2021
- High Interest in Continued Exploration Activity on the Norwegian Continental Shelf Press release 19/01/2021
Documents
An industry for the future – report to the Storting on Norway’s petroleum policy
The white paper - Report to the Storting 28 (2010-2011) is translated into english
NorwegianPetroleum.no
NorwegianPetroleum.no is published by the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy and the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate, and is a user-friendly, fact-based website where interested readers can learn more about Norwegian petroleum history, current activity, outlook and framework conditions.
Latest documents
- Meld. St. 14 (2020–2021) - Long-term Perspectives on the Norwegian Economy 2021 Report to the Storting 12/02/2021
- Meld. St. 20 (2019–2020) - Norway’s integrated ocean management plans — Barents Sea–Lofoten area; the Norwegian Sea; and the North Sea and Skagerrak Report to the Storting 24/04/2020
- The Norwegian Government's Updated Ocean Strategy Plans/strategy 03/06/2019