The Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (MPE) has today awarded a gas allocation to the Kvitebjørn field located in the northern part of the North Sea. Consequently, the Kvitebjørn field is guaranteed an income from its future gas production. Gas from the field will contribute to Norway's efforts to honour the long term supply contracts entered into with buyers in continental Europe.

Kvitebjørn will deliver gas under excisting long term contracts from 2004 throughout 2014. The allocation profile, i.e. the production volume each year, is based on optimal running of the Kvitebjørn installations.

The MPE reached its decision after counselling the Gas Supply Committee (GSC) and the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate. So far, no other fields have been given allocation, but the GSC has been asked to evalute if this is necessary due to potential time critical projects.