Mr. Ola Borten Moe, Norwegian Minister of Petroleum and Energy, has invited oil companies to nominate blocks that ought to be included in the 22nd licensing round on the Norwegian continental shelf. The invitations have been sent to all licensees on the shelf and pre-qualified companies. By this invitation the 22nd licensing round commences.
Numbered licensing rounds include mainly frontier areas of the Norwegian continental shelf where the potential for large discoveries is highest.
– I find it important to maintain activity in all aspect of the petroleum industry. Our most important part in maintaining the exploration activity is to award production licenses through new licensing rounds. Hence, the 22nd licensing round starts by inviting the oil companies to nominate blocks. I am confident that the industry still is interested in our frontier areas in the Norwegian Sea and the Barents Sea. Through predictable and frequent licensing rounds we arrange for a stabile framework for the petroleum industry, says Ola Borten Moe, Norwegian Minister of Petroleum and Energy.
The companies’ nominations will be an important part of which the decision is based upon when the Ministry announces the 22nd licensing round. The 22nd licensing round is intended to be conducted within the ordinary timeframe, with announcement to take place before summer 2012 and awards of new production licenses planned spring 2013.
All relevant parties are also invited to give their contribution to the Ministry regarding the blocks included in the nomination. The Ministry has to have received the contributions within the deadline for submitting nominations. This deadline is to ensure that the contributions from the public interests can be taken into consideration. The contribution will be made available on the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy homepage.
The deadline for submitting nominations is 12:00 noon, 11 January 2012.
[mappress] Source:Regjeringen , November 2, 2011