Norway’s Ministry of Energy has granted 57 new oil and gas production licenses to 19 companies as part of its 2025 Awards in Predefined Areas (APA) licensing round.

The licenses cover key offshore regions, with 31 in the North Sea, 21 in the Norwegian Sea, and five in the Barents Sea.

Equinor received the most licenses, followed by Aker BP and DNO Norge.

Other companies awarded licenses include TotalEnergies, ConocoPhillips, Repsol, Harbour Energy, OMV, and Vår Energi. All licenses come with binding work programs, requiring companies to explore the areas or return them to the state if no progress is made.

Energy Minister Terje Aasland said the licenses are part of Norway’s efforts to slow the country’s expected decline in oil and gas production. He emphasized that ongoing exploration is crucial for maintaining jobs, creating value, and securing Europe’s energy supply.

Equinor highlighted that the new licenses strengthen its exploration and production plans across the North Sea, Norwegian Sea, and Barents Sea.

Aker BP said the awards reinforce its position as one of the most active exploration companies offshore Norway. DNO Norge confirmed it had secured several high-potential licenses, mainly in the North Sea, aligning with its strategy to quickly develop core areas.

The APA licensing system, introduced in 2003, aims to ensure continued activity in mature offshore areas while maximizing resource recovery on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.