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
- High Interest in Continued Exploration Activity on the Norwegian Continental Shelf Press release 19/01/2021
- Ruling in the appeal lawsuit concerning Section 112 of the Constitution Press release 22/12/2020
- Announcement of the 25th licensing round Press release 19/11/2020
- APA 2020 – Continued High Interest for New Exploration Acreage Press release 25/09/2020
- Norwegian oil production cuts in July News story 24/08/2020
- Norwegian oil production cuts in June Press release 17/07/2020
- Announcement of Awards in Predefined Areas (APA) 2020 Press release 19/06/2020
- Package of measures to support the oil and gas industry and the supply industry Press release 30/04/2020
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
- The Norwegian Government's Updated Ocean Strategy Plans/strategy 03/06/2019
- Meld. St. 12 (2017–2018) – Health, safety and environment in the petroleum industry - Report to the Storting 06/04/2018
- Meld. St. 35 (2016–2017) - Update of the integrated management plan for the Norwegian Sea Report to the Storting 05/04/2017