High production and increase in petroleum resources
2/20/2026 According to the Resource Accounts for 2025, oil production on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) in 2025 was the highest since 2009.
"The Resource Accounts show high production of both liquids and gas, and that resource growth is replacing 60 per cent of production," says Nadine Mader-Kayser, Assistant Director for Analyses at the Norwegian Offshore Directorate.
While there was a reduction in contingent resources in fields, there was an increase in contingent resources in discoveries.
In other words, despite a minor reduction in undiscovered resources, there is an overall increase in total petroleum resources.
The Resource Accounts show the estimated total resource volumes, including the volume already sold and delivered:
- 9,037 million Sm³ of liquids*
- 6,685 billion Sm³ of gas
- A total of 15,722 million Sm³ of o.e.
(* oil, gas, condensate and liquids are stated in standard cubic metres (Sm3) of oil equivalent (o.e.). Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) is stated in tonnes. Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) are reported in tonnes in the accounts. A conversion factor of 1.9 is used to convert NGL from tonnes to Sm³.”
Liquids are the sum of oil, NGL and condensate volumes.)
This is an increase of 111 million Sm³ of o.e. compared with the previous year.
Read the Resource Accounts (Excel)
About 57 per cent of the total resources on the NCS have been sold and delivered, and 14 per cent are reserves that have yet to be produced. About 7 per cent are contingent resources in fields and discoveries, and 22 per cent of the total resources have not yet been discovered.
Resource categories in brief
- Resources is a general term for all oil and gas that can be recovered.
- Resources are classified according to maturity, which measures how far along they are in the planning phase leading to production.
- The primary classifications are reserves, contingent resources and undiscovered resources.
- Reserves are recoverable petroleum volumes not yet produced, but which have been approved for production.
- Contingent resources are resources in projects awaiting a development decision.
- Reserves and contingent resources amount to total discovered recoverable resources.
Updated: 2/20/2026