Press Release

No.: 67/99
Date: 05.10.99

Simplified Procurement Procedures in the Petroleum Sector

On 15 September, the EFTA Surveillance Authority granted Norway an exemption under the utilities procurement directive following changes in the national rules on procurement in the oil and gas sector.

The revised regulation on the utilities procurement in Norway entered into force on 24 September 1999.

From this date, entities engaged in the exploration of oil or gas are exempted from applying all the procedural rules in the utilities directive. This exemption will simplify the procurement procedures in the oil and gas industry and facilitate the development of internally adapted procurement plans within the oil companies. Besides, oil companies based in Norway will now enjoy the same procurement conditions as their counterparts in other major petroleum producing EU/EAA countries; United Kingdom and the Netherlands.

However, contracts will still have to be awarded on a non-discriminatory, transparent and competitive basis.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy considers the exemption under the utilities procurement directive to be an important step towards improved framework conditions for the oil and gas industry.

Rules on procurement are the formal responsibility of the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

Contact:
Sissel Edvardsen, +47 22 24 61 09