The Norwegian government has awarded 47 new offshore exploration blocks in its 2022 licensing round, better known as the Awards in Predefined Areas (APA), including two permits in the remote Barents Sea in the far north.
The permits have been awarded to a total of 25 companies from the 26 that applied last September.
Of the 47 licences, 29 are in the North Sea off the southeast coast, 16 are in the Norwegian Sea off mid-Norway and two are in Barents.