General news

• Full house to hear about new technology on the NCS

  6/6/2025 "Technology is one of the tools that can help generate additional values from the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS). At Technology Day new technology from different suppliers are presented."

• New interactive map of deep sea data

  6/5/2025 Today, the Norwegian Offshore Directorate is launching an interactive map, Deep Sea Surveys.

• New Director of Offshore development and technology

  6/5/2025 Producing the resources on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) so they generate the greatest possible values for society is an important driving force for the Norwegian Offshore Directorate's new director.

• Seminar on deep-sea data on the NCS

  5/15/2025 We are organising a seminar on seabed minerals, focusing on deep-sea data that has been collected, and how this data enhances our understanding of biology and geology in the deep sea on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS).

• Announcement of awards in predefined areas (APA) 2025

  5/9/2025 The Ministry of Energy announced APA 2025 on 9 May 2025, encompassing the predefined areas with blocks in the Norwegian Sea, Norwegian Sea and Barents Sea.

• Changes to the Guidelines for the Measurement Regulations

  5/2/2025 The Guidelines for the Measurement Regulations have been updated.

• Annual report: Helping develop the Norwegian shelf

  4/30/2025 The annual report outlines how the Norwegian Offshore Directorate carried out its tasks and its civic mission last year.

• “New” source rock discovered west of Svalbard

  4/24/2025 Studies of natural oil and gas seeps from the seabed have yielded new knowledge about a previously overlooked young source rock.

• An APA overview

  4/9/2025 Through APA the industry has gained regular access to new acreage on the Norwegian continental shelf. Today, this includes nearly all the acreage that has been opened for petroleum activity.

• Technology Day programme announced

  4/8/2025 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate’s Technology Day will be held on 5 June. There are still some slots available!

• Another sulphide deposit, “Gygra”, discovered on the NCS

  4/2/2025 The Centre for Deep Sea Research at the University of Bergen (UiB) and the Norwegian Offshore Directorate have discovered a new sulphide location on the Knipovich Ridge, west of Svalbard.

• New organisation at the Norwegian Offshore Directorate

  4/1/2025 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate is implementing a new organisation.

• Announcement of acreage for CO2 storage on the Norwegian Continental Shelf

  3/5/2025 On 5th of March 2025, the Ministry of Energy announced one area for CO2 storage pursuant to the CO2 Storage Regulations. This area comprises defined blocks in the North Sea.

• Improved NCS map

  2/21/2025 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate’s FactMaps have been upgraded, making it easier to use the service.

• Minor increase in oil and gas resources on the NCS

  2/20/2025 Total petroleum resources on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) saw a minor increase last year, according to last year’s "inventory" – the Resource Accounts for 2024.

• CO2 storage on the Norwegian shelf could become a new industry

  2/7/2025 Last year, more licences were granted for storing CO2 on the Norwegian continental shelf than ever before.

• Consultation – proposed new Regulation on data collection and documentation for mineral activities on the continental shelf

  2/5/2025 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate (NOD) is presenting proposed new Regulation on data collection and documentation for mineral activities on the continental shelf.

• 20 companies offered ownership interests

  1/14/2025 In the 2024 awards in pre-defined areas (APA), 20 companies have been offered ownership interests in a total of 53 production licences on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS).

• Record-high gas production in 2024

  1/9/2025 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate's summary of activity on the Norwegian continental shelf in 2024 shows that gas production is higher than ever.

• What would you like to learn more about at Technology Day 2025?

  12/20/2024 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate is hosting a Technology Day on 5 June 2025 in Stavanger – and now you can nominate suggested lectures for the event.

• Three companies offered acreage for CO2 storage

  12/19/2024 Today, three companies have been offered exploration licences for CO2 storage in two areas in the North Sea.

• The Shelf in 2024 will be presented on 9 January

  12/19/2024 On 9 January 2025 at 10:00 o'clock, you can hear the figures, trends and stories straight from Director general Torgeir Stordal.

• Stay up to date with news from the Directorate

  11/12/2024 Did you know that you can receive alerts about our news items straight to your inbox?

• Revised dataset can facilitate CO2 storage planning

  10/16/2024 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has reviewed around 800 wells and revised the top and bottom for the Utsira Group and the Skade Formation, to ensure consistency.

• Wants to open up tight reservoirs

  10/1/2024 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate believes that new innovations within hydraulic fracturing should lead to the development of more discoveries in tight reservoirs. The Directorate is now challenging the industry to have a go at one of the largest puzzles of them all – the "Victoria" discovery in the Norwegian Sea.

• Did you know that you can order the NCS map?

  9/25/2024 The map shows all fields, discoveries, licensed area and area opened for exploration on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) . It also provides an overview of all production licences.

• Exploration activity has been profitable in all ocean areas

  9/23/2024 A Norwegian Offshore Directorate analysis of exploration activity over the last 20 years (2004-2023) shows that the discoveries are valued at three times the costs expended.

• Exploration seminar program finalised

  9/10/2024 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate is organising an exploration seminar in Stavanger on 23-24 October. The agenda has now been announced.

• Interest in exploration on the Norwegian continental shelf remains high

  9/6/2024 The authorities have received applications from 21 companies in the Awards in predefined areas (APA) 2024. The deadline for applications was 3 September.

• Six companies have applied for CO2 storage acreage

  9/4/2024 The Ministry of Energy has received applications from six companies in connection with the announcement of an area in the North Sea for potential storage of CO2 on the Norwegian shelf.

• Improved recovery award for creativity, perseverance and appetite for risk

  8/27/2024 This year’s Improved Recovery Award goes to the licensees on the Valhall and Hod fields in the North Sea.

• Inviting to a seminar on fracturing and stimulating reservoirs with low permeable zones

  8/27/2024 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate invites interested parties to a seminar and panel debate on fracturing and stimulating reservoirs with low permeable zones on Tuesday, 1 October 2024 in our offices.

• New sulphide deposit on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS)

  8/23/2024 The Centre for Deep Sea Research at the University of Bergen (UiB) proved a new sulphide deposit on an expedition in the Norwegian Sea and the Greenland Sea this summer.

• Visit us at ONS

  8/22/2024 Are you attending ONS between August 26th and 29th? Drop by us at stand 8100 in hall 8!

• Norway could be giving up the equivalent of nearly an entire government pension fund

  8/21/2024 According to the Norwegian Offshore Directorate's projected scenarios leading up to 2050, the difference between high and low production of oil and gas can amount to nearly an entire government pension fund.

• The Norwegian Offshore Directorate to publish new resource report

  8/19/2024 We will be publishing the Resource Report 2024 at 10:00 on Wednesday, 21 August.

• Join us for an exploration seminar

  7/16/2024 We look forward to welcoming you to a seminar on the topic of exploration in the Barents Sea, to be held on 23-24 October 2024 at our offices in Stavanger. The seminar will include presentations by the Ministry of Energy, the Norwegian Offshore Directorate, licensees and suppliers.

• Numbers and facts

  6/28/2024

• The Norwegian shelf is continuously developing

  6/28/2024 Director General Torgeir Stordal shares his thoughts on the trends in activity on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) in the first half of 2024.

• Nominated blocks for announcement on public consultation

  6/26/2024 In connection with the first licensing round for mineral activities on the seabed, the Ministry of Energy has sent blocks nominated for announcement on a public consultation process.

• Six companies offered acreage for CO2 storage

  6/20/2024 Six companies have been offered exploration licences to store CO2 in four areas in the North Sea.

• Ensemble data: Call for feedback on guideline

  6/19/2024 In 2023, a group under the FORCE umbrella drew up a guideline for sharing ensemble data in production licences. Now it’s time for a review.

• Technology is the key

  6/10/2024 Technology Day 2024 turned out to be exactly what the Norwegian Offshore Directorate was hoping for, with presentations and discussions about acquiring subsurface data, challenging barrels and next-generation production systems.

• Our experts perform important work for the entire industry

  6/7/2024 Experts in the Norwegian Offshore Directorate are key speakers at the EAGE technical conference. Here they’ll talk about scientific work that benefits the industry as well as the broader society.

• Announcement of acreage for CO2 storage on the Norwegian Continental Shelf

  6/6/2024 On 6th of June 2024, the Ministry of Energy announced three areas for CO2 storage pursuant to the CO2 Storage Regulations. These areas comprises defined blocks in the North Sea.

• Many new mud volcanos discovered in the western Barents Sea

  6/6/2024 As many as ten new mud volcanos have been proven in water depths of 440-480 meters in the western Barents Sea.

• The strike called off

  6/5/2024 Starting Wednesday June 5th 23 employees in the Norwegian Offshore Directorate, that are members of the trade union Unio, are on strike. Update: On Wednesday morning, all employees are back to work as normal.

• Large area with new released datasets in the Barents Sea

  6/4/2024 The announced APA area in the Barents Sea has been expanded with 34 blocks, featuring good coverage thanks to recently released seismic data.

• Announcement of awards in predefined areas (APA) 2024

  5/8/2024 The Ministry of Energy announced APA 2024 on 8 May 2024, encompassing the predefined areas with blocks in the Norwegian Sea, Norwegian Sea and Barents Sea.

• Eight companies have applied for CO2 storage acreage

  4/30/2024 The Norwegian Ministry of Energy has received applications from eight companies in connection with the announcement of two areas in the North Sea for potential storage of CO2 on the Norwegian shelf.

• Invitation to nominate blocks for mineral activities on the seabed

  4/29/2024 In a letter of 29 April, the Norwegian Offshore Directorate invited players to nominate blocks in connection with the first licensing round for mineral activities on the seabed.

• Norwegian Offshore Directorate publishes new deep sea data

  4/17/2024 In June 2022, the Norwegian Offshore Directorate published data collected up to 2022. The Directorate is now releasing deep sea data gathered from 2022 to 2024.

• The future in the Barents Sea is here now

  4/17/2024 The Johan Castberg ship will soon be heading north. With the ship in place, the plan is to have three producing fields in the Barents Sea by the end of the year.

• Entering into cooperation with Greenland and Denmark on seabed minerals

  4/15/2024 This cooperation involves an MoU – Memorandum of Understanding – with the aim of acquiring additional knowledge on seabed minerals.

• Seabed minerals – step by step

  3/26/2024 Seabed minerals represent a new and exciting opportunity for Norway, and a chance for us to be a pioneer nation – much like we have been within the oil and gas industry, both as regards stewardship of resources and development of technology.

• Sign up for Technology Day 2024

  3/22/2024 Now, a very exciting program with lectures from a variety of companies is ready for Technology Day on June 6th.

• The industry gives the Norwegian Offshore Directorate high marks

  3/22/2024 Nearly all petroleum industry executives believe that the Norwegian Offshore Directorate is achieving its objective to contribute to the greatest possible value for the broader society from the oil and gas industry.

• Extending deadline for award

  3/22/2024 The deadline for nominating candidates for the Improved Recovery Award is being extended to 15 April. The prestigious award will be given out during ONS in August.

• We need your input

  3/21/2024 Are you familiar with the printed version of our Map of the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS)? Do you have one yourself – maybe hanging on your wall? Is this something that's nice to have or a useful tool? We're conducting a mini-survey to map this specific issue.

• High price to pay for halting exploration for oil and gas

  3/11/2024 Stopping exploration activity on the Norwegian shelf will accelerate the scale-down of the oil and gas industry.

• Seabed minerals on the map

  3/7/2024 The Storting (Norwegian parliament) has given the go-ahead for opening parts of the Norwegian shelf for exploration and possible production of minerals.

• Announcement of acreage for CO2 storage on the Norwegian Continental Shelf

  3/6/2024 On 6 of March 2024, the Ministry of Energy announced two areas for CO2 storage pursuant to the CO2 Storage Regulations. This area comprises defined blocks in the North Sea.

• Green light for Eldfisk nord

  2/28/2024 The authorities have given ConocoPhillips consent to start up Eldfisk nord in the North Sea.

• Go-ahead for Hanz

  2/27/2024 The authorities have consented to start-up of production on the Hanz field in the North Sea.

• Who deserves the Improved Recovery Award?

  2/22/2024 For the twentieth time, companies are invited to nominate candidates for what will now be known as the Improved Recovery Award.

• The Resource Accounts for last year have now been published

  2/20/2024 The Resource Accounts for 2023 show an increase in the volume of reserves and contingent resources. The overall petroleum resources have been reduced somewhat.

• Change in the Guidelines for the Measurement Regulations

  2/19/2024 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has published a new Appendix 4 to the Guidelines for the Measurement Regulations.

• The minerals we need

  1/26/2024 Change is often difficult. This will also be true for the transition from fossil energy systems to renewables.

• APA 2023: 24 companies offered ownership interests

  1/16/2024 On 16 January 2024, 24 companies were offered ownership interests in a total of 62 production licences on the Norwegian shelf in awards in pre-defined areas (APA) 2023. This is an increase compared with the three previous years.

• The Shelf in 2023: Robust activity and major investments

  1/11/2024 2023 was an active year on the Norwegian shelf. 92 fields were in operation at year-end, 27 projects were under development and many exploration wells were drilled.

• Parts of the Norwegian shelf can be opened for mineral activity

  1/9/2024 Today, the Storting (Norwegian parliament) endorsed the Government’s proposal to open parts of the Norwegian continental shelf for exploration for and production of seabed minerals.

• We have changed our name to the Norwegian Offshore Directorate

  1/2/2024 We have a new name! On 1 January 2024, we changed our name from the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate to the Norwegian Offshore Directorate.

• The shelf in 2023 will be presented on 11 January

  12/18/2023 At 10:00 on 11 January 2024, you'll get the figures, trends and the story on our website.

• The gas bank in the Barents Sea

  12/8/2023 Analyses show that the Barents Sea contains significant resources, probably more gas than oil. What needs to be done if Norway is to supply Europe with the requested volumes of gas?

• Plenty of potential in tight reservoirs

  12/6/2023 There are vast proven gas resources on the Norwegian shelf which are currently without development plans. Much of this gas is located in tight reservoirs – which makes it difficult to produce.

• Valuable gas resources untouched

  12/5/2023 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has conducted a mapping of gas resources that, for various reasons, have yet to be developed. Several of these discoveries could be produced in a manner that is profitable from a socio-economic perspective.

• Name change for the NPD

  11/16/2023 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) is changing its name to the Norwegian Offshore Directorate as of 1 January 2024. The new name reflects the additional responsibilities assigned to the directorate in recent years.

• First offshore wind data sets available in Diskos

  11/13/2023 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has collected and prepared the first data sets for offshore wind on the Norwegian shelf.

• Adjustment of area fee rates

  11/7/2023 The area fee rates in Section 39 (1) of the Petroleum Regulations will be adjusted starting from 1 January 2024.

• Ready for Tommeliten A start-up

  10/5/2023 The authorities have granted consent for start-up of the Tommeliten A field in the North Sea.

• The NPD is releasing even more data to the public

  10/2/2023 Almost 6000 data sets from relinquished areas will now be available to the public. This is in addition to 30,000 data sets released in the past year.

• We have received two applications proposing acreage for CO2 storage

  9/29/2023 Four companies have submitted applications with proposed acreage for storing CO2 in the North Sea.

• Green light for Breidablikk

  9/28/2023 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has granted consent for start-up of the Breidablikk field in the North Sea. Production is expected to start in October.

• Help us improve our website

  9/28/2023 We want to continue evolving our website, npd.no, and would like your input on how we can improve. We would greatly appreciate if you could complete a brief user survey. It should only take about two minutes and it is anonymous.

• The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate and the Petroleum Safety Authority are changing their names

  9/22/2023 Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre emphasises that both agencies are crucial in the effort to further evolve the Norwegian shelf, both within oil and gas as well as new industries.

• Postponed: Seminar on safe CO2 storage

  9/21/2023 The Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA), Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) and Norwegian Environment Agency (NEA) are postponing the planned seminar on safe CO2 storage due to ongoing work on updating the CO2 Storage Regulations.

• New edition of the continental shelf map

  9/12/2023 You can now download or order the new edition of the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate’s shelf map.

• Harald Brekke to receive knighthood

  9/7/2023 Senior geologist Harald Brekke has been nominated as Knight 1st Class of the Royal Norwegian Order of Saint Olav.

• Coexistence – challenging, but possible

  8/30/2023 The general message at this year's NPD conference was that there is plenty of room to create values from multiple industries on the Norwegian shelf.

• APA 2023: Still significant interest for exploration in mature areas

  8/29/2023 The authorities have received applications from 25 companies in the Awards in Predefined Areas (APA) 2023.

• Improved recovery from Statfjord Øst

  8/21/2023 The licensees in Statfjord Øst have received consent to use new facilities linked to the gas lift project on the field. Expected start-up will be soon.

• Three companies offered acreage for CO2 storage

  8/18/2023 Today, three companies have been offered exploration licences for CO2 storage in one area in the North Sea. The companies are Sval Energi AS, Storegga Noway and Neptune Energy Norway.

• Norwegian gas important for Europe’s energy security

  7/21/2023 Norway can continue to be a stabile supplier of oil and gas and contribute to Europe’s energy security for many years to come. But that means that we must continue to develop the Norwegian shelf.

• Continued high gas production and many new development projects

  6/30/2023 A high activity level contributes to strengthening Norway’s role as a safe and stable energy supplier to Europe.

• Safe CO2 storage on the NCS

  6/27/2023 How can we ensure that injection and storage of CO2 on the Norwegian shelf (NCS) can be accomplished in a way that is safe? And what roles do the Norwegian authorities play in this?

• Government gives green light for seabed mineral activity

  6/20/2023 The Government is proposing to open parts of the Norwegian continental shelf for commercial seabed mineral activity.

• New director of Technology, analysis and coexistence

  6/20/2023 Kjersti Dahle (51) has been appointed director of the main area Technology, analysis and coexistence (TAS).

• 30,000 data sets are now publicly accessible

  6/19/2023 This is the first time the NPD has made such large volumes of data available to the public all at once.

• Consultation regarding index adjustment of area fee rates

  6/13/2023 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate submits for consultation a proposal to amend Regulation 27 June 1997 no. 653 to the Petroleum Act (pf.) 39 first paragraph.

• New research article about the Barents Sea North

  6/12/2023 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate has contributed a research article in the internationally recognised periodical Geological Society of London (GSL) Special Publication Memoir no 57.

• Valuable NPD data

  6/12/2023 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate’s data is expected to play a vital role when it comes to facilitating and contributing towards more rapid development of new industries on the shelf.

• Research article on natural oil and gas seeps on the Norwegian shelf

  6/7/2023 The scientific data being presented in a new research article documents one of the largest gas seepage areas in the Arctic Region.

• Questions about exploration? AI Neil at your service!

  5/26/2023 Do you want to learn more about exploration on the Norwegian shelf, but don’t know where to start? Chat with Neil, your geological assistant, to learn everything about relinquisment reports.

• NPD geologist re-elected to UN post

  5/22/2023 In late April, geologist Stig-Morten Knutsen was re-elected to the board of a UN expert group for resources (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe /Expert Group on Resource Management – UNECE/EGRM).

• Announcement of awards in predefined areas (APA) 2023

  5/10/2023 The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy announced APA 2023 on 10.05.2023, encompassing the predefined areas with blocks in the North Sea, Norwegian Sea and Barents Sea.

• Revised guidelines to the annual status reporting for fields in production

  4/28/2023 Revised guidelines to annual status report for fields in production, and template for tables has been published.

• Not enough exploration in the Barents Sea

  4/26/2023 On Wednesday, a sold-out crowd at the Barents Sea Conference in Hammerfest heard Director General Torgeir Stordal encourage more exploration.

• Proposing to study 20 areas for offshore wind

  4/25/2023 A broadly composed group in the Directorate has identified 20 areas on the Norwegian shelf that could be technically suitable for offshore wind, and where there are relatively few conflicts of interest.

• Pioneering digital effort for increased value creation

  4/25/2023 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has started building large-scale regional aquifer models that can be updated on an annual basis.

• Diskos 2.0 is up and running

  4/18/2023 The new version of Diskos, Diskos 2.0, went live yesterday, 17 April.

• Stordal to continue as Director General

  4/14/2023 Today, Torgeir Stordal was appointed as Director General of the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) in the Council of State.

• Four companies offered acreage for CO2 storage

  3/31/2023 Today, four companies have been offered exploration licences for CO2 storage in two areas in the North Sea. The companies are Aker BP, OMV Norway, Wintershall Dea Norway og Stella Maris CCS.

• NPD Technology Day: Programme in place

  3/24/2023 Have you remembered to sign up for the NPD Technology Day in Stavanger on 7 June?

• New Diskos data type: multi-gigapixel palynology slides

  3/13/2023 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate's digitalisation project Avatara-p has produced over thirty thousand digital palynological slides from 284 released wells. This expanding dataset of 57 terabytes is now available in Diskos.

• Five companies have applied for CO2 storage acreage

  3/6/2023 The Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (MPE) has received applications from five companies in connection with the announcement of an area in the North Sea for potential storage of CO2 on the Norwegian shelf.

• Resource Accounts: Good reserve growth in 2022

  2/20/2023 The Resource Accounts for the Norwegian continental shelf in 2022 show good growth in reserves and good maturing of resources in fields and discoveries. Total resources have declined slightly.

• Extended lifetime for Mikkel

  2/14/2023 The authorities have granted Equinor consent for extended use of the subsea facility on the Mikkel field in the Norwegian Sea from July 2023 to October 2028.

• Inviting the industry to a new course

  2/8/2023 The Norwegian model is founded on interaction and teamwork between the authorities and the oil and gas industry.

• Seabed minerals: Substantial resources on the Norwegian shelf

  1/27/2023 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has prepared a resource assessment of the seabed minerals on the Norwegian shelf.

• Changes in the regulations

  1/13/2023 The Resource Management Regulations and Regulations relating to documentation in connection with storing CO2 on the shelf have been changed.

• Six companies have applied for CO2 storage acreage

  1/11/2023 The Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (MPE) has received applications from six companies in connection with the announcement of an area in the North Sea for potential storage of CO2 on the Norwegian shelf.

• Announcement: Acreage for CO2 storage on the Norwegian Continental Shelf

  1/11/2023 On 11 of January 2023, the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy announced an area for CO2 storage pursuant to the CO2 Storage Regulations.

• APA 2022: 25 companies offered ownership interests

  1/10/2023 On 10 January 2023, 25 companies were offered ownership interests in a total of 47 production licences on the Norwegian shelf in the awards in predefined areas (APA) 2022.

• Investments for the future on the Shelf

  1/9/2023 Only rarely have we seen so much oil and gas produced on the Norwegian shelf as was the case last year – and only rarely have we seen such significant investment decisions.

• Continuing the near subsurface mapping for offshore wind

  1/6/2023 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has awarded contracts to the companies Fugro and Enviros for mapping of the shallowest strata under the seabed.

• The Shelf 2022 will be presented 9 January

  12/19/2022 9 January at 10:00 you can see the story, the numbers and the trends on npd.no.

• Submitted eleven development plans

  12/16/2022 On Friday, Aker BP submitted plans for development and operation to the authorities worth close to 200 billion kroner.

• The opportunities are in the details

  12/9/2022 All fields on the Norwegian continental shelf have their unique characteristics.

• Welcome to IEA Technical Collaboration workshops

  11/10/2022 22. – 23. November: Research and experience on Enhanced Oil Recovery. 24. November: "Oil and gas in the context of energy security and transition".

• All status reports are now on the FactPages and the FactMaps

  11/4/2022 All available status reports (relinquishment reports) are now available on the FactPages.

• Announcement: Acreage for CO2 storage on the Norwegian Continental Shelf

  11/2/2022 On 2 November 2022, the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy announced an area for CO2 storage pursuant to the CO2 Storage Regulations.

• Sharing data from older wells

  10/31/2022 Production and injection data from older wellbores is now available in Diskos.

• Impact assessment for mineral activity on the Norwegian continental shelf

  10/27/2022 The impact assessment in connection with the opening process for seabed mineral activities is now being put forward for consultation, with a deadline for responses of 27 January 2023.

• Evaluating new file format for seismic

  10/17/2022 In the near future, a number of companies on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, including oil companies, software suppliers and seismic companies, are going to be contacted by Troika International. 

• Updating Diskos

  10/12/2022 In January, the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) will launch an updated version of the Diskos petroleum database.

• Awards: Two companies offered acreage to store CO2

  10/5/2022 Today, two companies have been offered exploration license for CO2 storage in an acreage in the Norwegian part of the North Sea.

• Seabed minerals: Sample analyses are now available

  9/30/2022 Analyses from the NPD’s data collection linked to sulphide deposits is now available.

• Consultation – proposed amendments

  9/20/2022 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) is presenting proposed amendments for a public hearing/consultation process.

• APA 2022: Still significant interest for exploration in mature areas

  9/13/2022 The authorities have received applications from 26 companies in the Awards in Predefined Areas (APA) 2022.

• Elected to the International Seabed Authority

  9/6/2022 Senior geologist and former Director of Exploration in the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD), Sissel Eriksen, has been elected as a member of the Legal and Technical Commission (LTC) for the International Seabed Authority (ISA).

• IOR award recognises systematic, long-term efforts

  8/30/2022 The licensees on the Statfjord field in the North Sea receives the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate's award for improved recovery (the IOR award) for utilising a number of IOR measures that contribute to the world-class recovery rate.

• Class in session at ONS

  8/29/2022 In keeping with tradition from previous years, the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate will be in place in Hall 8 during ONS 2022, which will get under way on 29 August. The theme for this year’s stand is ‘The NOR-way’ and the concept is built around a classroom.

• Mineral deposits proven along the Knipovich Ridge

  8/28/2022 An expedition under the direction of the German research centre Marum at the University of Bremen has proven an area of hydrothermal activity west of Spitsbergen, which is a prerequisite for the formation of so-called black smokers consisting of metal-rich sulphides.

• Laying the groundwork for offshore wind

  8/25/2022 Earlier this year, the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate was tasked with conducting subsurface surveys in the areas of Sørlige Nordsjø II and Utsira Nord, which have been opened for applications for renewable energy production.

• Resource report 2022: Norway is a competitive and long-term supplier of oil and gas to Europe

  8/25/2022 Resource report 2022: Norway is a competitive and long-term supplier of oil and gas to Europe The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) today presents its Resource report 2022.

• The NPD releases geochemical data

  8/23/2022 Geochemical data from the Norwegian Sea and the Barents Sea are now available via the NPD’s Fact pages.

• NPD to present new resource report

  8/22/2022 On Thursday, 25 August, Kjersti Dahle Grov, acting Director of technology, Analysis and coexistence, will present the Resource Report 2022.

• Data from old wells is now available

  8/17/2022 Data from the analysis project that Earth Science Analytics AS carried out on assignment from the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) in 2021 is now available for download.

• High level of activity on the Norwegian shelf in the first half of 2022

  7/20/2022 50 years after the Storting (parliament) decided to establish the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD), there is still plenty of activity on the Norwegian shelf.

• Temporary appointment - Director general

  7/4/2022 The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy has announced a temporary appointment, naming Torgeir Stordal (60) as Director general of the NPD from 30 June and until a new Director general of the NPD is hired.

• Preparing Nova for start-up

  6/30/2022 The authorities have granted consent to start production from the Nova field in the North Sea.

• Prestigious UN post for Harald Brekke

  6/23/2022 Senior geologist Harald Brekke has been elected to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS).

• Ingrid Sølvberg resigns as Director General

  6/17/2022 Sølvberg has today, Friday 17 June, resigned from her position as Director General for the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate.

• Is the glass half-empty or half-full?

  6/17/2022 There's no reason to sit back and rest on our laurels when an old field reaches tail production.

• Announcement of awards in predefined areas (APA) 2022

  6/14/2022 The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy announced APA 2022 on 14 June 2022, encompassing the predefined areas with blocks in the North Sea, Norwegian Sea and Barents Sea.

• The NPD celebrates its 50th anniversary today!

  6/14/2022 14 June 1972 – Parliament (the Storting) decided to establish the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) and Statoil (now Equinor).

• Building the future on the shoulders of history

  6/13/2022 14 June marks the 50th anniversary of the Storting's (parliament's) decision to establish the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) and Statoil. Director General Ingrid Sølvberg takes a walk down memory lane, observes the current unrest in the world of energy and fixes her eyes on the future.

• Extended lifetime

  6/10/2022 In February 2022, production came to a halt on the Veslefrikk field in the North Sea. More than 32 years had passed since the field came on stream. The story of the field's extended lifetime was hardly visible in the whirlwind of news during the winter.

• Shared experiences about technology

  6/9/2022 We recently organised Technology Day as part of our goal for the industry to develop and utilise new technology, work in close cooperation and share experiences. The seminar was popular, with relevant presentations and exciting discussions.

• Three companies have applied for a licence to store CO2

  6/8/2022 When the application deadline expired on 1 June, the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (MPE) had received applications from three companies that are interested in awards of acreage suitable for future storage of CO2.

• Releasing seabed data

  6/7/2022 Last Thursday, the first data on seabed minerals on the Norwegian continental shelf were released to the public.

• Mapping offshore wind

  5/13/2022 The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (MPE) has given the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) an assignment to conduct surveys in connection with awarding acreage for offshore wind.

• Guidelines for interpreted data

  4/25/2022 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has now prepared guidelines that clarify the term 'interpreted data'. The guidelines contain a definition of the term and describe what 'interpreted data' shall mean.

• Green light for Hod B

  4/20/2022 The authorities have granted Aker BP consent to start up the Hod B facility in the North Sea.

• Announcement: Acreage for CO2 storage on the Norwegian Continental Shelf

  4/11/2022 On 8 April 2022, the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy announced an area for CO2 storage pursuant to the CO2 Storage Regulations. This area comprises defined blocks in the North Sea.

• Awards: Three companies offered acreage to store CO2

  4/8/2022 On 5 April 2022, three companies were offered exploration licences to store CO2 in two areas on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. One area in the North Sea and one in the Barents Sea were announced in September last year, and the authorities have assessed applications from five companies.

• Resource Accounts for 2021: Increase in proven resources and good growth in reserves

  2/22/2022 The Resource Accounts for the Norwegian continental shelf 2021 were presented today. The Accounts show that more oil and gas was proven than in the previous year, and that nearly two-thirds of these reserves were gas.

• We want to understand the data needs of the service industry

  2/16/2022 Do you work in the oil and gas service industry? Do you have ideas on how data from the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) can be used smarter – and how to increase coordination? Take part in a survey and give us your input.

• Video: Learn more about seabed minerals

  2/11/2022 Watch a video with the geologists Nils Rune Sandstå and Jan Stenløkk, and learn more about seabed minerals. You can either watch a short or a long version.

• The search is on for a new winner of the IOR award

  1/31/2022 "A major recognition and very motivating," was the immediate response of researcher Geir Evensen of the Norce research institute when asked how it felt to win the award for improved recovery (IOR) in 2020.

• More knowledge available: 200 status reports on Factpages

  1/26/2022 Over the past year, more than 200 status reports (relinquishment reports) have been made available on the Factpages.

• APA 2021: 28 companies offered ownership interests

  1/18/2022 18 January 2022, 28 companies have received offers of ownership interests in a total of 53 production licences on the Norwegian Shelf in the Awards in Predefined Areas (APA) 2021.

• Record-high revenues from the Norwegian shelf

  1/13/2022 The combination of high production of oil and gas from a total of 94 fields, significant demand and high commodity prices led to a historically high level on the State's export revenues from petroleum. Much of this is due to record-high gas prices.

• Follow the livestream of The Shelf 2021

  1/12/2022 Thursday, 13 January 2022 from 10:00 Director General Ingrid Sølvberg gives a summary of the Shelf in 2021.

• Smarter use of data can increase value creation

  12/21/2021 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has taken an initiative to discuss with the industry which steps can be taken to increase value creation through better use of data.

• Five companies want to store CO2

  12/16/2021 The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy has received applications from five companies in connection with the announcement of two areas associated with injection and storage of CO2 on the Norwegian continental shelf.

• Geobank will remain closed

  12/14/2021 Due to increasing infection levels, Geobank will close starting from 15 December. This will initially apply until the end of the year.

• NOK 160 million for new national petroleum centres

  12/13/2021 The Research Council of Norway has announced that two new national petroleum centres will receive state funding, following a decision in the Portfolio Board for Petroleum.

• The Shelf in 2021: Past, present and future on the Norwegian shelf

  12/2/2021 Each year in January, we host "The Shelf" event, which is a presentation of the previous year on the Norwegian shelf – and a bit about the years to come.

• IOR award 2022 – nominate your candidate

  12/1/2021 Now you can nominate candidates for the IOR award! The award was presented for the first time in 1998, and the next time we present the award will be at ONS 2022.

• New technology: Norwegian Petroleum Directorate stepping up efforts

  11/11/2021 Technology has been very important for developing the oil and gas industry in Norway.

• Sharing CCS knowledge in Glasgow

  11/3/2021 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate's Eva Halland is giving two CCS presentations this week during CoP26, the UN climate conference in Glasgow.

• 25 years’ experience with safe and secure CO2storage

  10/5/2021 Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a hot topic. Director General Ingrid Sølvberg recently took part in a panel discussion at the EU-Norway Energy Conference to spread the word about safe and secure storage of CO2 on the Norwegian shelf.

• Continued significant interest in exploration in mature areas in APA 2021

  9/15/2021 The authorities have received applications from 31 companies in the Awards in Predefined Areas (APA) 2021.

• Announcement: Award of area for storage of CO2 on the Norwegian continental shelf

  9/13/2021 On 10 September 2021, the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy announced two areas for storage of CO₂.

• Solveig secures consent for start-up

  9/2/2021 The authorities have granted consent for start-up of the Solveig field in the North Sea. Operator Lundin plans to start up the field this autumn.

• What nature itself is doing at the ice edge

  8/23/2021 The ice edge has been frequently debated – both where and how the ice edge should be defined and what it should mean for further commercial activity in the Barents Sea. This text was written by geologists Rune Mattingsdal and Stig-Morten Knutsen in the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate as an opinion piece in Teknisk Ukeblad (Norwegian engineering magazine).

• Yme starts up again

  8/11/2021 The authorities have granted Repsol consent for a new start-up of the Yme field in the North Sea. Yme will once again be producing oil, 20 years after the last time the field was on stream. Planned start-up will be in the second half of 2021.

• Green light for Duva

  7/28/2021 The authorities have granted consent for start-up of the Duva field in the North Sea, where the operator Neptune Energy estimates the reserves at about 11 million standard cubic metres of oil equivalent (71 million barrels of o.e.)

• High activity level on the Norwegian shelf

  7/21/2021 The activity level on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) has been high in the first six months of the year – despite the Covid situation. Eight discoveries have been made, production remains high, and many new development projects are on the drawing board.

• Geobank re-opening

  7/9/2021 Once again, the Geobank is available for viewing core samples and extracting samples for studies.

• New technology unlocks new insight from old wells

  7/2/2021 Exploring for oil and gas on the Norwegian shelf is still important – and old wells can help us discover more.

• Consent to start up Troll phase 3

  7/2/2021 Licensees in Troll Nord in the North Sea have secured consent to start up facilities and modifications associated with the Troll phase 3 project.

• Relinquishment reports submitted after 1 January 2021 are now available

  7/1/2021 An amendment to Section 85 of the Petroleum Regulations became effective from the new year. This amendment entails changes in the length of the confidentiality period for status reports (also called relinquishment reports).

• Available status reports

  7/1/2021 A new regulation for status reports came into force 1 January 2021, with new associated guidelines.

• Ole Einar Hass will be the new head of the Harstad office

  6/25/2021 Ole Einar Hass (age 48) has been hired as the head of the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate's office in Harstad, and will start this job on 1 October.

• 7 companies offered ownership interests

  6/23/2021 Seven companies have received offers of ownership interests in a total of four production licenses on the Norwegian Shelf in the 25th licensing round.

• Subsea technology: A modern industrial adventure

  6/21/2021 "The development of subsea technology in the 1980s marked the beginning of a modern Norwegian industrial adventure which shaped us as a petroleum nation."

• More well data becomes available

  6/11/2021 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate is releasing prognosis and result data from wildcat wells from the period between 1990 and 2000. Moving forward, such data will be regularly made available via the FactPages on npd.no.

• Exceptional Ekofisk

  6/9/2021 This is the 50th anniversary of the Ekofisk field starting up, making Norway an oil-producing nation. And what an adventure it's been.

• Announcement of awards in predefined areas (APA) 2021

  6/9/2021 The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy announced APA 2021 on 9 June 2021, encompassing the predefined areas with blocks in the North Sea, Norwegian Sea and Barents Sea.

• Authorities and research communities shared knowledge about seepage from the seabed

  5/11/2021 Causes, risks and effects linked to seepage from the seabed were among the topics discussed at a workshop including participants from the Petroleum Safety Authority, the Norwegian Environment Agency, the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate and several professional and research communities.

• The petroleum industry represents jobs for the future

  5/7/2021 The low number of applicants for petroleum-oriented studies has attracted attention and sparked debate, says Director general Ingrid Sølvberg in a comment in the Norwegian newspaper Stavanger Aftenblad.

• Further emission cuts from the Troll field

  4/23/2021 Once Troll Vest in the North Sea is hooked up to receive electric power through cables from shore in 2026 (Troll B partial, Troll C complete), this will result in emission cuts of 466,000 tonnes of CO₂ each year, according to statements by operator Equinor in a new plan for development and operation (PDO), submitted Friday.

• Diskos contracts signed

  3/26/2021 The contracts for Diskos 2.0, entered into with Landmark and Kadme, have been signed and implementation is under way.

• Important UN post for NPD geologist Harald Brekke

  3/25/2021 Senior geologist in the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate, Harald Brekke, has been selected to chair the board of the Legal and Technical Commission under the International Seabed Authority, ISA.

• CO2 storage on Teams

  3/24/2021 We have extensive experience with carbon capture and storage (CCS). Since 2010, we have led a forum that addresses CO2 storage, headed by Eva Halland in the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD).

• New guidelines for status reports

  3/15/2021 The new regulation relating to status reports entered into force on 1 January 2021, and the revised guidelines for the status reports are now ready.

• 25. licencing round on the Norwegian Continental shelf - here are the applicants

  2/25/2021 Seven companies have applied for production licenses in the 25th licensing round on the Norwegian shelf. The deadline for applications was 23 February.

• Norwegian Petroleum Directorate launches new system for reporting geophysical surveys

  2/18/2021 The new system will streamline reporting of geophysical surveys. It will also contribute to better coexistence with fishery interests, and greater efficiency for the governmental agencies involved in the process.

• Plenty of oil and gas left on the Norwegian shelf

  2/17/2021 In the updated Resource Accounts, the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate projects that there are 8 billion standard cubic metres of oil equivalent (Sm3 o.e.) remaining resources on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS).

• APA 2020: 30 companies offered ownership interests

  1/19/2021 30 companies have received offers of ownership interests in a total of 61 production licences on the Norwegian Shelf in the Awards in Predefined Areas (APA) 2020.

• The Shelf 2020 – high activity and significant investments

  1/14/2021 Activity on the Norwegian continental shelf last year remained at a high level, despite the ongoing pandemic. The year has been characterised by high production and significant investments in developments and projects on the fields.

• Changes to the Resource Management Regulations and new guide

  1/11/2021 Regulation No. 2004 of 13 December 2017 relating to resource management in the petroleum activities (the Resource Management Regulations) has been amended, effective from 1 January 2021: Amended Resource Management Regulations – 1 January 2021.

• Follow the summary of the Norwegian shelf in 2020 live

  1/7/2021 At 10.00-11.00 on Thursday, 14 January 2021, Director general Ingrid Sølvberg will present ‘The shelf in 2020’.

• The Shelf in 2020 – mark your calendar!

  12/21/2020 From 10.00-11.00 on Thursday, 14 January 2021, Director General Ingrid Sølvberg will present The Shelf in 2020.

• Go-ahead for Gjøa expansion

  12/18/2020 The authorities have granted consent for start-up of a subsea installation with two new wells on the Gjøa field in the North Sea.

• Award of Diskos 2.0 contracts

  12/16/2020 Landmark and Kadme are the proposed winners of the contracts for Diskos 2.0.

• Meet our ten new managers

  12/3/2020 Ten of the eleven level-two executives in the NPD’s new organization are now in place. Six new directors were hired earlier this year. This change in the management constellation has come about in connection with a new statute governing central government employees in Norway.

• FORCE celebrates 25 years

  11/26/2020 The FORCE cooperating forum is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Most companies in the oil and gas industry in Norway are members. As the regulatory authority, the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate plays an active role as head of the Secretariate.

• Announcement of 25th licensing round

  11/19/2020 The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy announced the 25th licensing round on 19th of November 2020, encompassing 136 blocks in the Norwegian Sea and the Barents Sea.

• Green light to start up the Snorre Expansion

  11/14/2020 The expansion of the Snorre field in the North Sea consists of six subsea templates, which will be tied into Snorre A. Now the authorities have given Equinor and its partners consent to start up.

• Resource report: Web version and background data ready

  11/11/2020 A new resource report for exploration was newly presented.

• Profitable exploration on the Norwegian shelf

  10/27/2020 Exploration activity on the Norwegian shelf is profitable in all areas and minor discoveries account for a significant share of value creation. There are still vast remaining resources in all areas. These are among the main conclusions in the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate's new resource report for exploration, which was presented on Tuesday, 27 October.

• Maturing a CO2 storage site in the North Sea Basin: a story about the Johansen Formation

  10/21/2020 This year a new milestone was reached for CO2 storage in the North Sea basin. The first exploration well was drilled in the exploitation license and a development plan was submitted to the authorities.

• Dvalin ready for start-up

  10/21/2020 The authorities have issued consent for start-up of the Dvalin field in the Norwegian Sea. Operator Wintershall Dea estimates that it can recover 18 billion standard cubic metres of gas from Dvalin.

• The NPD is presenting a new resource report for exploration

  10/20/2020 Follow the presentation of the report live on npd.no on Tuesday, 27 October, at 10:00.

• The national budget – consistent good project implementation

  10/16/2020 Most projects are delivered within budget according to the NPD report “Project implementation on the Norwegian shelf”, presented earlier this year.

• Guidelines for production permit applications now updated

  10/13/2020 The revised guidelines for production permit applications are now ready for use. The update is part of the effort to simplify and streamline processes in the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD).

• Productive mineral expedition

  10/9/2020 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has conducted another search for seabed minerals – this time facilitated by the use of new technology, new in this context, that is.

• Important measurements that form the basis for enormous sums to the public purse

  10/5/2020 One of the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate’s tasks is to supervise the measurement (or metering) of oil and gas produced from the Norwegian shelf. The assets we are talking about here are the Norwegian State’s ownership interests on the shelf (SDFI), the oil companies’ revenues and the CO2 tax.

• NPD to hire ten managers

  10/2/2020 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) is continuing its work to phase out the rotation scheme for managers. Ten managers will be hired in connection with this transition. They will report to the new executive management team, which was recruited before summer this year.

• Ærfugl Phase 1 ready for production

  10/2/2020 Development of the Ærfugl gas and condensate field in the Norwegian Sea is planned in two phases. The authorities have given start-up consent to the operator Aker BP to start production from Phase 1.

• Start-up consent for Tor II

  9/30/2020 The licensees in the Tor Unit in the southern North Sea have secured consent to start up the Tor II facilities.

• Received PDO for Breidablikk

  9/28/2020 The authorities have received a plan for development and operation (PDO) for the Breidablikk oil field in the North Sea. Equinor and its partners are planning start-up in 2024.

• Continued significant interest in exploration in mature areas in APA 2020

  9/25/2020 The authorities have received applications from 33 companies in the Awards in Predefined Areas (APA) 2020. The deadline for applications was 22 September.

• Consultation – proposed amendment of the Resource Management Regulations

  9/16/2020 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) is hereby submitting proposed amendments to the Regulations relating to resource management in the petroleum activities (the Resource Management Regulations) with comments for a public hearing.

• Revised guidelines for production permit applications

  9/14/2020 Revised guidelines for production permit applications will be published in early October.

• Documents for the annual status report for fields in production are ready

  9/2/2020 The updated guideline for the Annual status report for fields in production (ASR) and an attachment in excel format are now available.

• Researcher Geir Evensen wins the award for improved oil recovery

  9/1/2020 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) is presentings its 16th award for improved oil recovery. This time the IOR award goes to researcher Geir Evensen at the research institute NORCE.

• Soon we announce the winner of the IOR award 2020

  8/25/2020 Who will win the award for improved oil recovery 2020? Tuesday 1 September at 12:20 pm Director general Ingrid Sølvberg will present the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate’s IOR award.

• Interim report – activity rising again in the petroleum industry following turbulence in the first months of the year

  7/17/2020 In the first half of 2020, activity on the Norwegian shelf has been characterised by the corona situation with restrictions on activity, a drop in demand and a declining oil price.

• Three finalists for IOR award 2020

  7/10/2020 Three finalists have been nominated for the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate’s IOR award for 2020. The finalists are the licensees on the Grane field in the North Sea, researcher Geir Evensen and oil company Lundin.

• Geir Evensen

  7/10/2020 For many years, Geir Evensen has delivered invaluable efforts in the development of ensemble-based modelling methods. These methods have contributed to enormous value creation on the Norwegian Shelf.

• Lundin

  7/10/2020 Oil and gas company Lundin Energy Norway has distinguished itself through standardised use of formation and long-term testing of reservoirs before making important decisions regarding developing discoveries.

• Licensees on the Grane field

  7/10/2020 Since its start-up in 2003, the Grane field in the central part of the North Sea has been among the fields on the Norwegian Shelf that have produced the most.

• Streamlined template for Annual status report for fields in production

  7/2/2020 The template for the annual status report (ASR) for fields in production from 2019 to 2020 has been simplified. Starting from 2020, ASR for fields in production must be submitted to the NPD by 15 October.

• 25th licensing round – announcement on public consultation

  7/1/2020 The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy proposes announcing nine area in the 25th licensing round. The proposal was submitted for public consultation on 24 June 2020.

• Almost half of Norwegian petroleum production will soon be run on power from shore

  6/26/2020 The companies are considering multiple electrification projects that could reduce emissions considerably.

• This is the NPD’s new senior management team

  6/25/2020 The six directors who will make up the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate’s senior management team along with Director General Ingrid Sølvberg have now been employed.

• Planning redevelopment of the Hod field

  6/24/2020 On behalf of the licensees, operator Aker BP has submitted a Plan for Development and Operation (PDO) for a redevelopment of the Hod field in the Valhall area in the North Sea.

• The North Sea: New times, new methods and new opportunities

  6/23/2020 More than 50 years have passed since the first commercial discovery of oil was made in the North Sea. The gigantic Johan Sverdrup field – which started production in 2019 – will produce for the next 50 years according to plan.

• Announcement of awards in predefined areas (APA) 2020

  6/19/2020 The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy announced APA 2020 on 19 June 2020, encompassing the predefined areas with blocks in the North Sea, Norwegian Sea and Barents Sea

• Can machine learning help highlight missed pay?

  6/3/2020 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate has since 2018 contributed to a machine learning project with the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) in the UK.

• New podcast: Critical resources in times of crisis

  5/29/2020 Norwegian podcast translated into written English. In this podcast, we will be speaking with Kalmar Ildstad, director of development and operations in the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate about critical resources in times of crisis. What is the actual status on the Norwegian shelf?

• Minerals from the deep

  5/28/2020 We have been where no one has gone before. 3000 metres below sea level, on a subsea ridge, where warm, enriched water from the depths of the earth seeps out.

• Historic: Northern Lights has submitted a plan for development and operation (PDO) for the first CO2 storage project on the Norwegian shelf

  5/15/2020 The Northern Lights Alliance, with operator Equinor and partners Shell and Total, has submitted a plan for an important part of the Norwegian full-scale project for transport and storage of CO2 on the shelf.

• Podcast with the Director General

  5/8/2020 Norwegian podcast translated into written English.

• Cutting oil production

  4/30/2020 The Norwegian authorities’ decision to cut oil production starting in June is being made in an effort to contribute toward more rapid stabilisation of the oil market than the market mechanism alone could ensure.

• More than 6.5 kilometres of high-quality geology published on FactPages

  4/24/2020 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate has recently published high resolution core images of 94 so-called shallow wellbores in the Norwegian Sea and the Barents Sea.

• Green light for Ærfugl well

  4/22/2020 Operator Aker BP is starting production from the second development stage (phase two) on the Ærfugl field in the Norwegian Sea. This will take place from the existing subsea template on the nearby Skarv field.

• New issue - Norwegian Continental Shelf

  4/22/2020 The new issue of the Norwegian Continental Shelf magazine is now available in a digital version with plenty of interesting reading. The articles in the magazine were written before the corona crisis.

• Ten more years for Troll B

  4/20/2020 The authorities have granted consent to operator Equinor and the other licensees for a 10-year lifetime extension for the Troll B facility in the North Sea.

• NPD uses video to share oil and climate info with lower secondary school in Oslo

  4/17/2020 It all started with a phone call to the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) from Hedda Greni, a teacher at Skullerud lower secondary school in Oslo. And ended up with a geologist and a chartered engineer from the NPD taking part in a two-period-long video conference to talk to the students in classes 9a and 9b about oil and the climate.

• Reduced exploration activity; production is maintained for now

  4/8/2020 Exploration activity on the shelf has been reduced, and production will be maintained for the time being, in spite of the corona outbreak and the decline in oil price. At the same time, the companies have announced and initiated several measures that could have long-term consequences for production and overall resource extraction.

• Norwegian Petroleum Directorate handles day-to-day business from home offices

  3/16/2020 Employees at the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate currently handle day-to-day business from home offices. This does not impact the daily operation of the Directorate. All types of applications will be processed as usual.

• Improved execution of development projects

  3/13/2020 A review of 66 projects on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) in 2007-18 reveals that most have kept their cost within the estimates given in their plan for development and operation (PDO).

• Restrictions on visits in connection with spread of coronavirus

  3/11/2020 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate has introduced restrictions with regard to presence in the Directorate’s offices for persons who have been in areas with prolonged spread of coronavirus.

• Cook and Johansen Formations are good candidates for CO2 storage – 31/5-7

  3/5/2020 Equinor Energy AS, operator of exploitation licence 001, is in the process of concluding the drilling of wildcat well 31/5-7.

• Awards in APA 2019

  3/3/2020 On 14 February 2020, the King-in-Council awarded ownership interests in the APA 2019 licencing round (Awards in Predefined Areas).

• Green light for Skogul

  2/24/2020 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate has granted consent for start-up of the Skogul field in the North Sea.

• The resource accounts for 2019 are now available

  2/20/2020 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate's estimate of total proven and unproven petroleum resources on the Norwegian continental shelf is about 15.7 billion standard cubic metres of oil equivalents.

• Most of the amount swindled from the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate is back where it belongs

  2/11/2020 In November of last year, the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) was the target of a payment fraud amounting to 17.6 million kroner. Most of these funds, around NOK 17 million, have now been returned to the Directorate.

• Who deserves improved recovery award 2020?

  2/3/2020 Every other year we present the IOR award at ONS. Do you know of anyone who deserves the award? Nominate your candidate for the IOR award 2020 by 1 March 2020.

• Developments on the shelf – what have we learned?

  1/31/2020 To what extent are development projects on the Norwegian shelf affected by delays and cost overruns? The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate has examined the development from 2007 to 2018 and will present its findings on 7 February.

• Dialogue is the key to good coexistence on the sea

  1/17/2020 Cooperation is a key word for good coexistence between industries at sea. The value of dialogue and good communication between the industries was the topic when the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate recently hosted the very first joint regulatory authority meeting for the seismic industry.

• APA 2019: Licence shares offered to 28 companies

  1/14/2020 28 companies have been offered ownership interests in a total of 69 production licences on the Norwegian Shelf in the Awards in Predefined Areas (APA) 2019.

• Basis for increased gas transport from the Barents Sea South

  1/13/2020 Today, Gassco presented a new report regarding the transport of gas from the southern Barents Sea. The report shows that it could be socio-economically profitable to increase the transport capacity for gas, thereby further increasing value creation in the Barents Sea.

• The Shelf in 2019 – a good year overall

  1/9/2020 Activity on the shelf was high last year. There are considerable resources in fields and discoveries, and more yet to be discovered in all sea areas. A record number of fields are producing.

• The Shelf 2019: A summary

  1/3/2020 Thursday, 9 January Ingrid Sølvberg, our new director general, summarized the past year on the Norwegian shelf. She also presented investment and production forecasts for the next five years.

• Increasing recovery from the Balder field

  12/20/2019 On Tuesday 17 December, Vår Energi submitted an amended Plan for Development and Operation (PDO) for the Balder field and the associated Ringhorne deposit in the North Sea. The development will contribute to increase recovery from Balder.

• The Shelf 2019 is approaching – registration is open

  12/13/2019 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate publishes The Shelf in January of every year. The publication is a summary of the past year; results from exploration and production, as well as investment and production forecasts for the next five years.

• Hoping for a dry well near Troll

  11/28/2019 For the first time, an exploration well is being drilled where the objective is not to find oil or gas.

• More technology to create value

  10/31/2019 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate wants to contribute to the industry developing and using even more technology to create value on the Norwegian shelf. A task force has presented nine proposed measures to achieve this.

• Reminder: Register for popular course

  10/29/2019 We would like to remind you of "Course for the industry" (Kurs for næringen) which will be held on 14 November in our offices in Stavanger.

• Busy Norwegian Sea

  10/18/2019 A lot is going on in the Norwegian Sea! In this sea area, which is twice the size of the North Sea, there are 19 fields in production, numerous discoveries are being developed and around 350 exploration wells have been drilled over the past 40 years.

• Ingrid Sølvberg to become new director general

  10/14/2019 Ingrid Sølvberg will take over the post of director general of the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate, following Bente Nyland.

• Together for 50 years on the Norwegian shelf

  10/14/2019 50 years have passed since the first commercial discovery of oil on the Norwegian shelf. To mark the occasion, the cooperating forum Force is arranging a two-day seminar which will focus on telling the story and highlighting the lessons we have learned that can be passed on to younger generations.

• Suggest candidate for improved recovery award

  10/7/2019 Who's the best at improved recovery? Suggest who you think should win the IOR award 2020. The deadline is 1 March 2020.

• Oil production has started

  10/5/2019 Nine years after the field was proven, production commenced on Saturday from the North Sea giant, Johan Sverdrup. 24/7, for the next 40 years, oil from this field will secure substantial revenues for Norway.

• Go-ahead for new facility on Valhall

  10/2/2019 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate has granted consent to start up the Valhall West Flank facility in the North Sea. Start-up will take place this autumn.

• Continued high activity on the Norwegian shelf

  9/27/2019 Even after more than 50 years, the Norwegian shelf still holds vast opportunities.

• Reminder: Presentation of the new resource report

  9/25/2019 Have you already registered? Or do you plan to follow online? On Friday 27 September at 10 am we will present the new resource report on fields and discoveries.

• Registration open for popular course

  9/13/2019 You can now register for “Course for the industry" (Kurs for næringen) which will be held on 14 November in our offices in Stavanger. The registration deadline is 8 November.

• Tordis and Vigdis facilities to remain in production

  9/12/2019 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate has granted Equinor consent to use the facilities on the Tordis and Vigdis fields beyond the approved lifetime.

• Presentation of the new resource report

  9/12/2019 On Friday, 27 September, director of development and operations Ingrid Sølvberg will present the new resource report on fields and discoveries.

• Successful exploration for seabed minerals

  9/9/2019 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has just completed a successful data acquisition expedition on the Mohns Ridge in the north-western Norwegian Sea, using the Seabed Constructor vessel.

• The Guidelines to the annual status report for fields in production have been updated

  9/6/2019 The Guidelines to the annual status report (ASR) have been updated, to ASR2019. The Guidelines are unchanged from last year’s Guidelines (ASR2018), with the exception of Chapter 3.2, “Reserves and resources – status”.

• Continued significant interest in exploration in mature areas in APA 2019

  9/4/2019 The authorities have received applications from 33 companies in the Awards in Predefined Areas (APA) 2019.

• Green light for giant field

  9/2/2019 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate has granted its consent for start-up of the Johan Sverdrup field in the North Sea. The field is expected to produce oil for the next 40 years.

• New search for minerals

  8/16/2019 For the next month, colleague Jan Stenløkk will trade his office in Stavanger for the vessel "M/V Seabed Constructor" in the Norwegian Sea.

• Start-up consent for the Utgard field

  8/14/2019 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate has granted its consent to start-up of the Utgard field in the North Sea.

• High activity in the first six months

  7/13/2019 Production on the Norwegian shelf is holding steady at a high level. Many projects are in the development or planning phases.

• Search for new Director General

  7/2/2019 After twelve years as Director General, Bente Nyland will complete her term at the end of 2019. The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy has started a search for her successor.

• Plans to re-develop Tor

  7/1/2019 On behalf of the licensees, operator Conoco Phillips has submitted a Plan for Development and Operation (PDO) for a re-development of the Tor field in the Greater Ekofisk area in the North Sea.

• Learn more about resource management, save the date now

  6/18/2019 This autumn, for the fourth straight year, we will be holding a course on our roles and tasks, and what this entails for your working day in the oil and gas industry.

• Analysis reveals extensive seabed minerals

  6/7/2019 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate’s chemical analyses of sulphides and manganese crusts from the Norwegian shelf reveal that the sulphides contain a high content of copper, zinc and cobalt.

• Announcement of awards in predefined areas (APA) 2019

  5/29/2019 The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy announced APA 2019 on 29 May 2019, encompassing the predefined areas with blocks in the North Sea, Norwegian Sea and Barents Sea.

• Ready for start-up on Trestakk

  5/13/2019 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate has granted consent for start-up of the Trestakk field in the Norwegian Sea. Operator Equinor plans start-up during second quarter of 2019.

• The future is in the north

  5/8/2019 Our estimates indicate that more than half of the oil and gas that has not yet been discovered is located in the Barents Sea. The rest is distributed between the Norwegian Sea and the North Sea. The opportunities are greatest in the Barents Sea, where vast areas have not yet been explored.

• Hourly rate for supervision increased

  4/25/2019 Pursuant to a decision from the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, the rate for regulatory supervision of resource management has increased from NOK 850 to NOK 1 150 from and including 1 September 2018.

• Continental shelf’s extent outside Bouvet Island clarified

  4/12/2019 Bouvet Island is a Norwegian island situated in the southernmost part of the Atlantic Ocean.

• New report on petroleum activity in the High North

  4/2/2019 Today the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate will present the report Petroleum Activity in the High North. The report places the petroleum activity in the High North into a historical, international and technological framework.

• Development plan for Solveig submitted

  3/27/2019 The authorities have received the Plan for Development and Operation (PDO) for the Solveig oil discovery in the North Sea.

• Oda field starts production

  3/19/2019 The Oda field started to produce oil and gas on 16 March. The field, which is located 13 kilometres east of Ula in the North Sea, is operated by Spirit Energy.

• Diskos Vendor Conference

  3/14/2019 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate and the Diskos Management wants to invite potential Diskos vendors to a “Diskos Vendor Conference” Thursday 21st of March 2019.

• Gullfaks C can be used until 2036

  3/14/2019 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate gives the go ahead for using the C platform on the Gullfaks field in the North Sea until 30 June 2036. This corresponds to the entire period of the production licence.

• Welcome to our new website!

  3/14/2019 We have upgraded our website. The content is largely the same as before, but we have made an effort to improve, streamline and update to give you a better user experience.

• Submitted development plan for Duva

  2/21/2019 On Thursday, the licensees, led by operator Neptune Energy, submitted the Plan for Development and Operation (PDO) for the Duva field in the North Sea.

• Extended lifetime for Norne FPSO

  2/4/2019 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has granted consent for continuation of production on Norne FPSO with associated facilities for the Norne, Urd and Skuld fields in the Norwegian Sea.

• Åsgard A will produce longer

  1/28/2019 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate has approved operator Equinor’s application for extended technical lifetime for the Åsgard A facility in the Norwegian Sea until 2027. That means production twelve years longer than the original plan.

• Would you like to continue receiving news from us?

  1/17/2019 We are now obtaining consent from you who wish to receive our newsletter. Because of this, you need to subscribe to our newsletter again if you wish to continue receiving it.

• New plan will increase recovery from Gullfaks

  1/15/2019 A new, amended Plan for development and operation (PDO) describes the next phase in production from limestone rocks over the Gullfaks field in the North Sea. The increased reserves are estimated at 2.8 million standard cubic metres (nearly 18 million bbls) of oil equivalents.

• Record licence awards in APA 2018

  1/15/2019 Today, 15 January, 33 companies have been offered ownership interests in a total of 83 production licences on the Norwegian Shelf in the Awards in Predefined Areas (APA) 2018. This is the largest number ever awarded in one licensing round.

• Award of exploitation permit for CO2 storage

  1/15/2019 The authorities have granted Equinor a permit to exploit an area for CO2 storage on the Norwegian Shelf.

• New edition of Norwegian Continental Shelf

  1/14/2019 In an interview, Kristin Færøvik, chair of the board in the industry organisation Norwegian Oil and gas, emphasises the importance of the authorities ensuring that we also have stable framework conditions on the Norwegian Shelf in the future. And she urges companies to continue to explore for oil and gas.

• The Shelf in 2018

  1/10/2019 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate’s forecasts show that, after a minor decline in 2019, oil and gas production will increase from 2020 and up to 2023. Overall production will then approach the record year of 2004.

• Ready for Oda start-up

  1/7/2019 The authorities have approved the application for start-up of the Oda field in the North Sea. Operator Spirit Energy expects start-up in February/March.  

• Doubled reserves – won IOR prize

  8/28/2018 The licensees for the Alvheim field in the North Sea have been awarded the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate’s improved oil recovery (IOR) prize because of their willingness to accept risk.

• Three IOR prize finalists

  6/4/2018 The jury has arrived at three finalists for this years IOR prize. The winner will be announced at the ONS oil conference and exhibition in Stavanger 28 August.  

• IOR prize awarded to Åsgard licensees

  8/30/2016 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has awarded its improved oil recovery (IOR) prize for 2016 to the licensees of the Åsgard field in the Norwegian Sea for their subsea wet gas compressor.

• Martin Landrø receives the IOR award in 2014

  8/26/2014 Martin Landrø has been given the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate’s (NPD’s) IOR award for his work on developing 4D seismic for mapping, production management and monitoring of reservoirs.

• IOR prize 2012

  8/28/2012 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate’s prize for improved recovery for 2012 is awarded to the subsurface environment on the Oseberg field.

• Researchers honoured with IOR prize

  6/8/2011 Professor Tor Austad of the University of Stavanger and the Corec research centre have been honoured with the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate's IOR prize for their work on recovering more oil from chalk reservoirs.

• Tor Austad and Corec share the NPD’s 2010 IOR prize

  6/7/2011 Professor Tor Austad (University of Stavanger) and the Corec research centre at IRIS have been awarded the NPD’s 2010 IOR prize. Austad and Corec have been honoured for the very important research that has been carried out to improve oil recovery from chalk fields.

• Corec, International centre for improved oil recovery

  6/7/2011 The centre is a collaborative project between the University of Stavanger (UiS), the IRIS research foundation, and ConocoPhillips as the operator of Ekofisk, Eldfisk and Tor (production licence 018).

• Tor Austad

  6/7/2011 Professor Tor Austad has worked with chemical processes for EOR (enhanced oil recovery) since the first national programme for improved oil recovery, the NPD administered SPOR, started in 1985.

• Award presented for seabed technology

  6/2/2010 Today, 2 June, FMC Technologies received the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate’s 2009 IOR award for outstanding technology development of seabed production systems.

• The NPD's IOR prize 2006 goes to Baker Hughes and Halliburton

  1/23/2007 This year, the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate is acknowledging the commitment made by the Norwegian supplier industry towards increased value creation on the Norwegian shelf, not least in research and development.  The IOR prize 2006 is awarded to both Baker Hughes and Halliburton for progressive development and application of advanced drilling and well solutions.

• IOR award 2003: the NPD's award for improved oil recovery goes to Valhall

  1/13/2004 The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate's IOR award for 2003 goes to Valhall Unit and the operating company BP for their "Life of Field Seismic" project on the Valhall field.