Sokkeldirektoratet

Geobank re-opening

Geobank-kjerneprover-1920x1080.jpg

Cores samples stored in Geobank at the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD).

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

Everyone whose application has been approved will be contacted by the NPD and receive a suggested appointment. This means that no-one needs to re-apply.

The Geobank has been closed since 4 January due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The re-opening will be gradual, based on guidelines from national and regional authorities.

"We'll be opening cautiously, and have a few temporary criteria for visits. We can receive a maximum of three people at a time, and they must bring their own food and beverages, since they won't have access to the NPD cafeteria. In addition, we will not receive guests from areas with high infection rates," says Jørgen Ramse Vadla of the NPD Geobank.

As of today, around 25 approved applications will be fulfilled. Due to the NPD summer holiday period, some delays must be expected.

The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate stores core samples and cuttings from exploration and production wells on the Norwegian shelf, as well as oil and reference samples for geochemical standards.

Read more about the Geobank.

 

Updated: 7/9/2021

Latest news

Public consultation – proposed changes to two regulations
10/2/2025 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate is submitting proposed changes to the Resource Management Regulations and the Regulations relating to documentation in connection with storage of CO2 on the shelf for public consultation.
Drilling permit for wellbore 35/8-8 S
10/2/2025 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted Harbour Energy Norge AS drilling permit for wellbore 35/8-8 S in production licence 248 LS og 248 B.
Popular tours of the Geobank during the Ulltra festival – celebrating the future
9/26/2025 At the end of September, the Norwegian Offshore Directorate participated in a brand-new festival at Ullandhaug - Ulltra 2025. Registered visitors had the opportunity to take part in a guided tour of the Geobank in our offices. 
Seabed data from this summer’s cruise now available for order
9/26/2025 Orders can now be placed for data from this summer’s cruise in the Lofoten Basin (east of the Mohns Ridge) in the Norwegian Sea and the southwestern part of the Knipovich Ridge in the Greenland Sea.
Green light for export via gas pipeline from Troll B
9/25/2025 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted consent for start-up of a tie-in from the Troll B platform to the Kvitebjørn gas export line.
Production figures August 2025
9/23/2025 Preliminary production figures for August 2025 show an average daily production of 2 124 000 barrels of oil, NGL and condensate.
Dry well in the North Sea (34/8-20 S)
9/19/2025 Equinor and its partners Vår Energi and Aker BP have drilled a dry well about 130 kilometres west of Florø.
Drilling permit for wellbore 34/4-19 S
9/15/2025 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted Equinor Energy AS drilling permit for wellbore 34/4-19 S in production licence 057.
Drilling permit for wellbore 34/6-9 S
9/15/2025 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted Equinor Energy AS drilling permit for wellbore 34/6-9 S in production licence 554.
Oil discovery in the North Sea (31/4-A-15 B)
9/11/2025 OKEA and its partners have made an oil discovery near the Brage field.