Renewed interest in exploring under the basalt
10/15/2026 Undiscovered oil and gas resources may be present under the volcanic rock basalt in the western part of the Norwegian Sea. However, no exploration wells have been drilled in these areas.
Oil and gas discovery in the North Sea (30/8-7 S)
10/14/2026 Equinor and its partners have discovered oil and gas in the “Grimsnes” prospect in the Oseberg area, about 140 km west of Bergen.
Petroleum
Appraisal
Wildcat
CCS
Appraisal
Wildcat
| Active exploration wellbores |
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Drilling permits
Drilling permit for wellbore 25/9-5 S
9/15/2026
The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted Equinor Energy AS drilling permit for wellbore 25/9-5 S in production licence 1042.
Drilling permit for wellbore 35/6-7 S
7/13/2026
The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted Vår Energi ASA drilling permit for wellbore 35/6-7 S in production licence 929.
Drilling permit for wellbore 25/8-24 S
7/13/2026
The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted Vår Energi ASA drilling permit for wellbore 25/8-24 S in production licence 1203.