Eni SpA (E), Italy 's biggest energy company by market value, said Wednesday it was awarded a new exploration license in the Barents Sea by Norway , as it seeks to expand in the hydrocarbon-rich region.

In a statement, Eni said the license awarded is the PL657. The Italian oil company will hold an 80% stake, while Norwegian state owned
Petoro AS has the remaining 20%. The license is located just east of the Goliat field, it added.

Eni's current daily output in
Norway is about 135,000 barrels of oil equivalent. The Italian company has been present in Norway since 1965.