Norway awards oil and gas exploration rights to 30 firms

Norway awarded 61 offshore exploration blocks to 30 oil firms in its latest pre-defined areas (APA) licensing round, Energy Minister Tina Bru said on Tuesday.

Firms that won acreage included Equinor ASA (OL:EQNR), Shell (LON:RDSa), ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP), Total SA (PA:TOTF), Lundin Energy AB (OTC:LNEGY), Aker ASA (OL:AKER) BP (LON:BP) and Eni SpA (MI:ENI)’s Vaar Energi.

“These companies have shown great interest in gaining access to new exploration acreage, illustrating the industry’s confidence in continued profitability from exploration on the Norwegian continental shelf,” Energy Minister Tina Bru said.

APA rounds cover areas with known geology or near existing infrastructure.

Norway had received applications from 33 companies, it said in September.