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Norway on Tuesday awarded 53 offshore oil and gas exploration licenses to 20 companies and outlined plans for more drilling in the Arctic, part of its strategy to sustain long-term petroleum production.
This year’s awards were fewer than the 62 licenses granted in 2024, with 33 licenses in the North Sea, 19 in the Norwegian Sea, and one in the Barents Sea. Notably, state-controlled Equinor received stakes in 27 licenses, including seven it will operate, while Aker BP secured stakes in 19 licenses, operating 16.
Energy Minister Terje Aasland stressed the importance of continued exploration:
"If we are to uphold a stable production in the years to come, we must explore more and invest more."
The annual predefined area (APA) licensing rounds are central to Norway’s policy of extending oil and gas production for decades, despite mounting environmental opposition.
The government announced plans to expand exploration blocks in Arctic waters. Of the 76 blocks proposed for the next licensing round, 68 are in the Barents Sea and eight in the Norwegian Sea. Awards for the 2026 APA round are expected in January 2026.
Environmental groups, including Extinction Rebellion, Greenpeace, and Grandparents for Climate, staged protests outside the venue where the energy minister made the announcement. Greta Thunberg joined the demonstration, declaring:
"We are in a fast escalating climate crisis, which is threatening us and everything that we love. We have a moral responsibility to act."
Protesters carried banners reading "Norwegian Oil Kills" and "Phase Out Plan Now."
Since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Norway has become Europe’s largest supplier of natural gas, providing 30% of EU imports. Norwegian oil has also partly replaced Russian barrels banned by the EU.
The government’s commitment to extending fossil fuel production contrasts sharply with its climate commitments and has sparked debates on balancing energy security with environmental sustainability.
The next APA round, focusing heavily on Arctic exploration, signals Norway’s intent to maintain its position as a leading energy exporter despite the growing climate crisis.
