APA 2023: 24 companies offered ownership interests

The photo shows Edge Island with outcropping Triassic source rock of the Steinkobbe-/Botneheia Formation. Photo: Bjørn Anders Lundschien/the Norwegian Offshore Directorate.

The photo shows Edge Island with outcropping Triassic source rock of the Steinkobbe-/Botneheia Formation. Photo: Bjørn Anders Lundschien/the Norwegian Offshore Directorate.

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 authorities reviewed applications from a total of 25 companies in the autumn of 2023. Of these 62 production licences, 29 are in the North Sea, 25 in the Norwegian Sea and 8 in the Barents Sea. 16 of the production licences are additional acreage for existing production licences.

"We can see that the companies still have plenty of faith in making more discoveries in areas with familiar geology and close to existing infrastructure. It's important to prove resources so that available capacity in established process plants and pipeline systems can be utilised. This means that even small discoveries can yield significant value creation," says Director licence management in the Norwegian Offshore Directorate, Kalmar Ildstad.

Everything about APA 2023

Contact

Ola Anders Skauby

Director Communication, public affairs and emergency response

Tel: +47 905 98 519

Updated: 1/16/2024

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.