Norway is moving ahead with new oil and gas exploration in an effort to sustain long-term production on the Norwegian continental shelf.
The Ministry of Energy has officially initiated the process for the 26th licensing round, opening the door for companies to nominate acreage for potential development.
“Norway will remain a long-term supplier of oil and gas to Europe, while the Norwegian continental shelf will continue to create values and jobs for our country. To deliver on this commitment, we must make more discoveries — and to make more discoveries, we must explore. That is why today we are launching the process for the 26th licensing round for awarding new production licenses,” said Minister of Energy Terje Aasland.
The announcement coincides with Aasland’s inauguration of the Johan Castberg field in the Barents Sea, one of the largest new projects on the shelf in recent years.
Much of Norway’s remaining oil and gas resources have yet to be proven, making new exploration critical. Without fresh discoveries, production is expected to gradually decline from the early 2030s. Alongside exploration, improved recovery techniques and the development of profitable finds are seen as essential to slowing that trend.
The government has pledged to keep annual licensing rounds at the centre of its strategy. The Awards in Predefined Areas (APA) rounds, which cover most opened and available acreage, remain the backbone of policy. Numbered rounds, such as the 26th, apply to areas outside the APA zone.
“The Labour Party Government has a long-term perspective on the further development of our continental shelf. Europe will need oil and gas for a long time to come. Our goal is to ensure that we can supply oil and gas produced with low emissions for as long as there is a demand. Annual licensing rounds going forward are important to achieve this,” Aasland added.
As part of the 26th round, the Norwegian Offshore Directorate has been tasked with managing the nomination process, allowing licensees to propose areas for inclusion. Their input, combined with the Directorate’s own subsurface assessments, will guide recommendations to the Ministry on which acreage should ultimately be made available.
