More on this topic

Maps and downloads

Download tables, graphs, illustrations and maps.

Environment and technology

The Norwegian petroleum industry has very high environmental and climate standards compared with those in other countries.

Framework

The overall objective of Norway’s petroleum policy is to provide a framework for the profitable production of oil and gas in the long term.

Production and exports

Norway is an important supplier of oil and gas to the global market, and almost all oil and gas produced on the Norwegian shelf is exported.

Economy

The oil and gas sector plays a vital role in the Norwegian economy.

Exploration

Around 47 % of all the remaining resources on the shelf are undiscovered.

Developments and operations

In the 50 years since Norwegian petroleum activities began, about 45 percent of the estimated total recoverable resources on the continental shelf have been produced and sold from a total of 108 fields.

Meld. St. 12 (2017–2018) – Health, safety and environment in the petroleum industry -

Meld. St. 12 (2017–2018) Report to the Storting (white paper)

Meld. St. 24 (2016–2017) - Common Responsibility for Common Future

Meld. St. 24 (2016–2017) Report to the Storting (white paper), English summary

Meld. St. 35 (2016–2017) - Update of the integrated management plan for the Norwegian Sea

Meld. St. 29 (2016–2017) - Long-term Perspectives on the Norwegian Economy 2017

A Summary of Main Points

Power supply

The Ministry of Energy has the overall responsibility for managing the power supply in Norway.

The power market and prices

The market price of power, which is determined each day on the Nord Pool Spot power exchange, is a result of supply and demand. Norway is part of a common Nordic power market and is integrated with the power market in Europe.

Power supply and the electricity grid

A secure and reliable power supply is essential in any modern society. Norway has an extensive electricity grid for the transmission of power from producers to consumers.

The History of Norwegian Hydropower in 5 Minutes

Modern Norway was built and industrialised when we started to utilize rivers and waterfalls to produce electricity. Hydropower is still the backbone of the Norwegian power system, and will remain so in the foreseeable future.

The Energy Administration in Norway

The Norwegian Storting (parliament) determines the political framework for energy and water resources management in Norway. The Government has the executive authority through its various ministries.

Pollution preparedness and response

The Norwegian petroleum industry has very high environmental and climate standards compared with those in other countries.

NOU 2015: 15 - Environmental Pricing (Summary)

Report from a Green Tax Commission

Chapter 1 Executive summary (50,4 kB) Chapter 2 The Commission (63,8 kB) Chapter 3 Summary (225,1 kB) Chapter 12 The recommendations of the Commission (100,6 kB)

The Barents Sea South

The 23rd licensing round, which was announced in January 2015, includes 54 blocks in the Barents Sea, many of them in the previously disputed area west of the delimitation line between Norway and Russia.

Meld. St. 20 (2014–2015) - Update of the integrated management plan for the Barents Sea–Lofoten area including an update of the delimitation of the marginal ice zone

Meld. St. 20 (2014–2015) Report to the Storting (white paper)