Norway has launched its largest-ever offshore exploration licensing round, unveiling unprecedented exploration acreage in its 2025 annual Awards in Predefined Areas (APA). The expanded offering focuses heavily on the Barents Sea, Norwegian Sea, and North Sea, marking a strategic push to enhance energy security and production for Europe.
The Norwegian Offshore Directorate highlighted significant changes since 2024, noting that the 2025 APA round now includes 68 additional blocks in the Barents Sea and eight in the Norwegian Sea. These additions represent the most extensive area ever advertised in a single licensing round in Norwegian history.
Energy Minister Terje Aasland emphasized the importance of expanding exploration to stabilize energy supplies and ensure long-term production. “We will explore more, find more, and extract more. Therefore, it is important to ensure that companies have stable access to exploration areas. Never before has a larger area been advertised in a licensing round. It is good for Norway and for Europe,” Aasland stated.
The ministry noted that after more than 50 years of exploration, the 2025 APA round now covers the majority of available areas on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. The deadline for exploration companies to apply for the new blocks is set for September 2, 2025, with successful applicants expected to be announced in January 2026.
“The APA rounds are a pillar of the government’s petroleum policy. Further exploration and more discoveries are crucial to limiting the decline in production on the continental shelf after 2030. The expansion this year gives companies access to significant new acreage in the Barents Sea, better positioning us to clarify the resource base in the north,” Aasland added.
