On Thursday, Oct. 14, Norway's Ministry of Petroleum and Energy invited oil companies to nominate blocks and/or combinations of blocks that they believe should be included in the 19th licensing round on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. Oil companies are invited to nominate blocks in those areas that have been opened up to petroleum activities in the Norwegian Sea and the Barents Sea.
Exceptions are:
• Areas already subject to licences
• Areas included in the "predefined areas" (to be updated in connection with the "Awards Predefined Areas 2005" in January 2005)
• Particularly valuable areas in the Barents Sea, the polar front, the ice edge, Bjørnøya and Tromsøflaket, cf. Storting White Paper No. 38 (2003-2004) on the petroleum activities
• Areas near the coast of Troms and Finnmark counties, cf. Storting White Paper No. 38 (2003-2004) on the petroleum activities
• Nordland VI
The nominated blocks should be divided into two categories – "interesting" and "very interesting." The total number of nominated blocks should not exceed 15.
Nominations should not exceed one A4 page for each block/combination of blocks nominated. The following aspects must be addressed:
• Indication of block
• Data basis
• Play model / stratigraphic level
• Type of hydrocarbons
• Estimate of resource potential (if possible)
• Critical factors
• Other factors
The following figures should be enclosed, if possible:
• Seismic line over the prospect/prospective prospect
• Map (including co-ordinates) with outline of prospects/prospective prospects or exploration trends
The deadline for submitting nominations is 12 noon, Feb. 23, 2005. The plan is to announce the 19th licensing round before the summer of 2005. Award of new production licenses is slated for 1Q 2006.
For more information contact Kari Ofstad at +47 51876243.
10/25/04
