Interest in Norway's 20th oil and gas licensing round has risen considerably, Norway's Ministry of Petroleum and Energy said Friday, with nominations received from 46 companies for 301 blocks or parts of blocks.
In the 19th round only 19 companies nominated blocks. Energy Minister Aslaug Haga said she welcomed the participation of a number of small and medium sized companies in the recent nominations.
Each company was able to nominate up to 15 new blocks. The aim of the round, which is complemented by the country's awards in predefined area, or APA, is to allow companies to access previously unexplored areas off Norway.
The ministry said that it will consult with the public before it decides which of the nominated blocks will be opened to oil and gas activity, as part of a new openness policy. Awards will be announced before the summer, the ministry said, and finalized during spring 2009.
Oil majors ConocoPhillips (COP), Total (TOT), Marathon (MRO) and StatoilHydro ASA (STO) are amongst the countries to have nominated.