The NPD celebrates its 50th anniversary today!

The towing of the Troll A platform – the largest man-made structure that has ever been moved. Photo: Equinor.

The towing of the Troll A platform – the largest man-made structure that has ever been moved. Photo: Equinor.

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

50 years have passed – and what a journey it has been – both on the Norwegian shelf, for Norwegian industry and working life, and not least, for Norway as a welfare state.

Building the future on the shoulders of history

In a feature article, 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. 

 

Contact

Ola Anders Skauby

Director Communication, public affairs and emergency response

Tel: +47 905 98 519

Updated: 6/22/2022

Latest news

Appraisal well in the North Sea increases projection (16/1-EA-4 H)
9/25/2026 Aker BP and its partners Equinor and DNO have drilled an appraisal well on the "Verdandi" and "Lillefix" discoveries in the North Sea. This well increases the projected discovery size.
Production figures August 2026
9/22/2026 Preliminary production figures for August 2026 show an average daily production of 2 073 000 barrels of oil, NGL and condensate.
Aker BP has made a gas discovery in the North Sea (36/4-2 and 36/4-2 A)
9/16/2026 Preliminary calculations show that the size is between 0.15 and 2.4 million standard cubic metres of recoverable oil equivalent (Sm3 of o.e.), which corresponds to 1-15 million barrels.
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.
Growing exploration interest
9/11/2026 The authorities have received applications from 21 companies in the Awards in Predefined Areas (APA) 2025. The deadline for applications was 1 September.
New NCS map 2026
9/8/2026 You can now download or order a printed version of the Directorate's most recent map of the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS).
Resource report 2026 in English
9/8/2026 The Resource report is now also available in English.
New director at the Norwegian Offshore Directorate
9/7/2026 Siv Fagerland Christensen has taken up her position as Director of governance, finance and shared services.
Register for our seminar on sub-basalt exploration
8/31/2026 Welcome to a seminar on sub-basalt exploration on 15 October 2026 at our offices. The seminar speakers will represent operators, suppliers, academia and the authorities.
Okea receives award for improved recovery on its oil fields
8/25/2026 This year's winner of the Norwegian Offshore Directorate's “Improved Recovery Award” has worked systematically to revitalise the Draugen and Brage fields.