PGNiG Scores Hattrick in APA 2011 (Norway)

PGNiG Norway, has been awarded interests in three exploration and production licences in Norway by the Norwegian Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, as part of the APA 2011 licensing round. For the first time, PGNiG Norway has been awarded operatorship in one of the licences.

PGNiG Norway will acquire a 50% interest in the PL648S exploration and production licence, which it will operate, and a 20% interest in the PL646 exploration and production licence. In addition, PGNiG Norway was awarded a 30-percent interest in the small production license PL350B, an extension of existing production license PL350, with the same work program and equities as in PL350.

Major Milestone

The award of the operatorship to PGNiG Norway in PL648S also constitutes a major milestone for the company. This is the first operatorship awarded to PGNiG Norway and is a natural development of the company in Norway. It is also the first offshore operatorship awarded to the PGNiG Group and underlines PGNiG Norway’s role as an offshore competence center for the PGNiG Group. The partner in PL 648S licence is OMV Norge AS with a 50-percent interest.

Direct operatorship of the PL 646 license was awarded to Wintershall Norge ASA (40-percent interest). The other partners are Lundin Norway AS (20-percent interest) and Norwegian Energy Company ASA (20-percent interest).

The 350B licence is operated by EON (40% interest). The remaining 30% interest in the licence is held by Statoil.

Acquisition of the interests in the PL646 and PL648S licenses is an important element of PGNiG Norway’s strategy on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. According to its strategy PGNiG Norway builds hubs like the Skarv field and grows around them. The license area of all three awarded licenses is located in the immediate vicinity of the Skarv field, in which PGNiG Norway holds a 11.9175% stake.

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Offshore Energy Today Staff, January 20, 2012; Image: PGNiG