Announcement of exploration area through APA 2022

Through the annual licensing round APA (allocations in predefined areas), the oil companies are given the opportunity to gain access to attractive exploration area on the Norwegian shelf. After more than 50 years of exploration activities, the APA scheme covers most of the open, accessible area on the Norwegian shelf.

- APA 2022 is an important part of our work to develop the petroleum industry. Annual allocation of exploration area is part of the predictable and stable framework conditions we have in Norway. This facilitates profitable investments, employment and future production, says Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Mr. Terje Aasland.

A proposal to announce APA 2022 was sent for public consultation with a deadline of 28 April. In connection with the Revised National Budget 2022 negotiations, an agreement was reached between the Government parties and the Socialist Left Party not to include the three blocks 7426/10, 11 and 12 in the APA 2022. APA 2022 will be expanded with 28 blocks in the Barents Sea.

- The petroleum sector is a highly productive industry that generates large revenues, value creation and employment. Oil and gas from the Norwegian continental shelf can help meet the world's energy demand. Further exploration is important to ensure that Norway remains a safe and predictable supplier of oil and gas to Europe, says Norwegian Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Mr. Terje Aasland.

The companies' application deadline in this licensing round is set for Monday 12th of September 2022 at 12.00. After the application process has been completed, the aim is to grant new production licenses in the announced areas at the beginning of 2023.

Background
The Norwegian oil and gas industry is the country's largest and most important industry for value creation, government revenue, exports and investments. In order to maintain activity in the long term, continuity in the exploration activity is important. In mature areas, new discoveries are important for the capacity utilization in production and transport facilities, and for management of time-critical resources.

Full announcement text, updated map of announced blocks, HSE, environmental and fisheries conditions and further information is available on the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate's website.

The petroleum activities in Norway take place under strict requirements for health, environment and safety and the protection of the external environment. Great emphasis is placed on ensuring coexistence with other industries.

All licensing rounds on the Norwegian shelf are carried out within the area limits set by the Parliament, in the ocean management plans. The Parliament most recently established this framework in 2020, cf. St. 20 (2019-2020) and Inst. 382 S. (2019-2020).
All proposals for announcing licensing rounds are sent on public consultation.