Norwegian government launches latest offshore license round

May 11, 2023

The Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy has opened the APA 2023 (pre-defined areas) licensing round, covering blocks in the Norwegian North Sea, Norwegian Sea and Barents Sea.

Teh map displays the area available for application in predefined areas as of the announcement date.The maps show licensed acreage within the APA boundaries as of May 10.

Offshore staff

OSLO, Norway — The Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy has opened the APA 2023 (pre-defined areas) licensing round, covering blocks in the Norwegian North Sea, Norwegian Sea and Barents Sea.

This year the acreage has been expanded to include 78 further blocks in the Barents Sea and 14 in the North Sea. Interested companies can apply for all available blocks or parts of blocks within the pre-defined areas.

However, blocks or part-blocks that become available less than three months prior to the application deadline of Aug. 23, 2023, cannot be applied for, and acreage that has been awarded previously for an exploration or exploitation license for storage of CO₂ is out of bounds in APA rounds.

License awards should follow during first-quarter 2024.

05.11.2023