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.
Licensing rounds
Licensing rounds entail that Norwegian and foreign oil companies are invited to apply for production licences for defined areas within a given deadline. Two equal licensing rounds have been established to achieve expedient exploration of both mature and frontier areas on the Norwegian shelf. All areas opened for petroleum activity can be announced in numbered licensing rounds or be included in the APA area.
More on oil and gas
Latest on oil and gas
What's new
- Ownership in the upstream gas pipeline network Press release 02/05/2023
- Oslo Energy Forum 2023 Speech/statement 15/02/2023
- Norway has introduced a price cap on Russian petroleum products Press release 07/02/2023
- APA 2023 submitted for consultation: A continued responsible and long-term management of the oil and gas resources Press release 25/01/2023
- APA 2022: Great interest in further exploration activity on the Norwegian shelf Press release 10/01/2023
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
- 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
- Meld. St. 29 (2016–2017) - Long-term Perspectives on the Norwegian Economy 2017 Report to the Storting 31/03/2017