Sokkeldirektoratet

APA 2022: Still significant interest for exploration in mature areas

tfo.jpg

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

Most of the companies that are active on the Norwegian shelf have submitted applications in this year's APA. The application deadline was 12 September.

"It's gratifying to note the continuing significant interest in investigating new exploration acreage, given the many awards made in the most recent APA processes," says Kalmar Ildstad, Director licence management in the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate.

The NPD is now commencing the work of evaluating the applications, with focus on geological understanding and plans for exploring the areas.

Offers announced early in 2023

When production licences are awarded, emphasis is also placed on the companies' technical expertise and experience, as well as their financial strength.

The authorities plan to announce which companies will be offered shares in APA 2022 early in the new year – 2023.

Press release from the Ministry of Petroleum on APA 2022

More about APA 2022

 

Contact

Ola Anders Skauby

Director Communication, public affairs and emergency response

Tel: +47 905 98 519

Updated: 9/13/2022

Latest news

Gas and condensate discovery in the North Sea (35/8-8 S and A)
12/19/2025 Harbour Energy and its partners have proven gas condensate in the ‘Camilla Nord’ prospect.
Regulatory changes postponed
12/16/2025 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has put forward proposed changes to the Regulations relating to resource management in the petroleum activities and the Regulations relating to documentation in connection with storage of CO2 on the shelf for public consultation.
Norwegian companies take a more dominant role
12/11/2025 A new report from the Norwegian Offshore Directorate shows that, in 2024, there were 24 oil and gas companies on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS). This is the lowest number since activity started up on the shelf. At the same time, developments in exploration activity reveal a clear shift from global to Norwegian players.
Drilling permit for wellbore 35/11-32 S
12/9/2025 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted Equinor Energy AS drilling permit for wellbore 35/11-32 S in production licence 090 HS.
Gas/condensate discovery in the North Sea (15/5-8 S and A)
12/5/2025 Equinor and its partner Aker BP have discovered hydrocarbons in the "Lofn" and "Langemann" prospects.
Oil and gas discovery in the Barents Sea (7122/7-8)
12/4/2025 Vår Energi and its partners have discovered oil and gas in the "Goliat Nord" prospect.
Who deserves the Improved Recovery Award?
11/25/2025 The time has come to nominate candidates for this prize, which was first awarded in 1998. Back then it was known as the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate’s IOR Award.
Production figures October 2025
11/20/2025 Preliminary production figures for October 2025 show an average daily production of 2 017 000 barrels of oil, NGL and condensate.
Drilling permit for well 33/12-N-3 GH and 33/12-N-3 HH
11/20/2025 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted Equinor Energy AS drilling permit for wellbore 33/12-N-3 GH in production licence 037 B/152 and 33/12-N-3 HH in production licence 037 B/277.
Dry well in the North Sea (2/6-8 S and 2/6-8 ST2)
11/18/2025 DNO and its partners have drilled a dry well in the "Page" prospect in the southern part of the North Sea, about 270 kilometres from Stavanger and 40 kilometres from Ekofisk.