Press Release

No.: 3/2000
Date: 26 January 2000

16th licensing round on the Norwegian Continental Shelf

The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy has received applications from 14 oil companies for the 16th licensing round on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

The companies that have submitted applications are: Agip, BP Amoco, Chevron, Conoco, Enterprise, Esso/Mobil, Hydro, Fortum, Phillips, RWE-DEA, Elf, Total/Fina, Shell and Statoil. Applications have been submitted for 39 of the 48 blocks or parts of blocks that were announced in September 1999. The award of production licenses in the 16th licensing round is expected to take place before easter 2000.

- I am satisfied with the interest shown by the companies. The 16th licensing round was announced to contribute to responsible resource management, predictability and to create new opportunities for the industry. This round will contribute to maintaining the activity level and to securing employment in the industry, says Marit Arnstad, Minister of Petroleum and Energy.