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
- The State acquiers increased ownership in the gas transportation system Press release 12/11/2024
- Large revenues from the petroleum industry in 2024 Press release 07/10/2024
- Norway and the Age of Energy Speech/statement 24/09/2024
- APA 2024: 21 companies are applying for new exploration areas Press release 06/09/2024
- Awarding four new licenses for CO2 storage on the Norwegian continental shelf Press release 20/06/2024
Documents
- Meld. St. 31 (2023–2024) - Long-term Perspectives on the Norwegian Economy 2024 Report to the Storting 09/08/2024
- NOU 2023: 25 - The transition to low emissions Norwegian Official Report (NOU) 27/10/2023
- 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