Offshore staff

OSLO, Norway --Norway's Energy Ministry is changing its rules on offshore area fees from January 1. The aim is to spur operators of `fallow' acreage either to resume exploration, or to relinquish their blocks to the state for re-licensing to other parties.

Under the new provisions, no fee will be paid for areas where exploration or production are in progress. Areas currently dormant, however, will incur higher fees.

11-21-06