Withdrawn blocks overshadow Norwegian licensing round launch

Oil and gas lobby group expresses regret over omitted Barents Sea acreage

Oil watchdog the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has fired the starting pistol on the Awards in Predefined Areas (APA) 2022 licensing round. But while the NPD hailed a 28-block expansion compared with APA 2021 in the Arctic Barents Sea, attention was focused on three blocks not included in the round    “We are disappointed that blocks will be withdrawn at the next APA,” says lobby group Norwegian Oil & Gas. “We are in the middle of an energy crisis where Europe must get rid of all Russian gas. At the same time, the EU asks Norway to supply as much gas as possible. Then it is an unfortunate signal to withdraw exploration areas on the Norwegian [continental] shelf [NCS].” “The blocks