Norway Launches APA 2019

The Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy has launched this year’s licensing round in mature areas on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS).

 

In APA 2019, the predefined area has been expanded by a total of 90 blocks, of which five are in the North Sea, 37 in the Norwegian Sea and 48 in the Barents Sea.

 

The application deadline for companies is the 27th August.

 

The Norwegian petroleum ministry said it aims to award new production licences in the beginning of 2020.

 

“I am delighted to announce this year’s APA round. We are continuing our practice of offering regular concessions on the NCS to provide the industry access to new acreage,” minister Kjell-Borge Freiberg said in a government statement.

 

“Awarding prospective acreage is a central element in the government’s policy. I believe the oil companies are well motivated to continuing exploring the NCS,” he added.

 

The expansion of the APA-area is important to ensure effective exploration of larger parts of the NCS, including the Barents Sea, according to Mr Freiberg.

 

“The expansion will give the companies access to new opportunities which can enable value creation, employment and technology development,” the minister stated.

 

Organised annually, APA rounds were introduced to facilitate exploration in geologically mature parts of the NCS.

 

In January, the Norwegian petroleum ministry revealed that it had offered a record number of awards in the APA 2018 round.

 

Source: Rigzone