APA 2013 Licensing Round on Norwegian Continental Shelf Announced

Today, the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy is announcing this year’s licensing round for mature areas on the Norwegian continental shelf – Awards in Predefined Areas (APA) 2013. The aim is to award new production licences in the announced areas at the beginning of 2014.

“I am very pleased to announce this year’s licensing round for mature areas. Exploration activity and access to areas constitute the very basis for petroleum activity on the Norwegian continental shelf. The results of previous APA rounds show that the scheme is highly important and that it has generated very substantial values for Norwegian society,” says Minister of Petroleum and Energy Ola Borten Moe.

In the APA 2013 round, the predefined area has been expanded by six blocks. All of the blocks are located in the Norwegian Sea, close to Aasta Hansteen. The expansion is in line with the management plan for the Norwegian Sea.

“It is important that the industry is given an opportunity to explore the areas surrounding new developments. The expansion will ensure that any additional resources located around Aasta Hansteen can be exploited in a timely and optimal manner,” says Minister of Petroleum and Energy Ola Borten Moe.

The application deadline is 12:00 on Wednesday 11 September 2013.

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Press Release, February 15, 2013