Oil&Gas: Awards in Predefined Areas 2011

The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy has announced Awards in Predefined Areas 2011. The Areas comprise the predefined areas with blocks in the North Sea, the Norwegian Sea and the Barents Sea.

The awards show increased exploration activity in Mature Areas, the Ministry states.

With this announcement prospective blocks for exploration activities in mature areas of the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) are being made available to the industry. Awards of new production licenses are planned to take place late 2011 / early 2012.

- Through a large expansion of the area announced in this year’s APA round, I wish to lay the foundation for a swift and efficient exploration of the ocean areas outside Nordland. Our aim is increased exploration activity and rapid development of discoveries in the area, says Minister of Petroleum and Energy Ola Borten Moe.

In the Awards in Predefined Areas (APA) 2011 the predefined area has been expanded with in total 62 blocks or parts of blocks when compared to the APA 2010. 56 new blocks or parts of blocks are made available in the Norwegian Sea and 6 in the North Sea.

- With an efficient and tailor-made progress for the north-eastern part of the Norwegian Sea, the areas near Jan Mayen, and the unopened parts of the southern Barents Sea, the government has put forward a long-term program to ensure a stable level of activity on the Norwegian Continental Shelf over time, says the Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Mr. Ola Borten Moe.

The deadline for submission of applications is 12.00 am on 14 September 2011.

The Ministry will, when awarding new licenses in the future, base the environmental- and fishery requirements according to the established management plan for the relevant areas. However, there will not be set additional environmental- or fishery requirements in the period towards the updating of the existing management plans.

(Press release)

Monday, 14 March 2011 08:12