Norway adds 70 new blocks in APA 2026 licensing round

Norway

OSLO, May 6, 2026 – Norway has launched its Awards in Predefined Areas (APA) 2026 offshore licensing round with 70 new blocks across the Barents Sea, North Sea and Norwegian Sea, the Ministry of Energy announced on Tuesday.

The APA system covers the most mature exploration zones and most of the acreage that has been opened and is available on the Norwegian continental shelf. For APA 2026, the APA area has been enlarged with 38 blocks in the Barents Sea, 22 blocks in the North Sea and 10 blocks in the Norwegian Sea.

The expansion includes acreage with known exploration models as well as relinquished acreage.

“Annual licensing rounds and good, stable and predictable framework conditions are essential to achieving the objectives of Norway’s petroleum policy. It is important that the industry seek new, larger opportunities in these areas in the time ahead. Not instead of exploration near existing infrastructure, but in addition to it,” said Minister of Energy Terje Aasland.

Acreage under the APA system, introduced in 2003, has been gradually expanding as new areas have been explored. New areas are added to licensing rounds after an assessment by the Norwegian Offshore Directorate that includes their exploration history and distance from existing infrastructure, as well as considerations regarding exploration and production targets.

The application deadline for companies wishing to acquire acreage under APA 2026 is September 1, 2026, with the ministry targeting the award of new production licences at the beginning of 2027.

Photo courtesy of the Norwegian Offshore Directorate