The Norwegian Ministry of Energy has announced the 2026 Awards in Predefined Areas (APA) licensing round, offering 70 new blocks across the North Sea, Norwegian Sea and Barents Sea.
The application deadline for companies seeking acreage in APA 2026 is set for 1 September 2026.
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The new production licences are expected to be granted by the Ministry in early 2027.
Norwegian authorities have added 22 blocks and parts of blocks in the North Sea, ten blocks in the Norwegian Sea and 38 in the Barents Sea since the previous year’s licensing round.
Companies can submit applications for any blocks or parts of blocks within the updated predefined acreage, provided those areas become available more than three months before the deadline.
Any acreage approved for relinquishment less than three months before the deadline will not be open for application in this round.
The expansion covers areas where exploration models and prior exploration activities are already established, as well as zones that have previously been relinquished.
It also incorporates territory situated between blocks that have been awarded and those that have been relinquished, along with areas adjacent to the current predefined boundaries.
Norway Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said: “Norway’s oil and gas industry is vital to Norway and to Europe.
“Today, the government is announcing new exploration acreage in APA in order to further develop the petroleum sector, so that it can continue to create substantial value for society, provide the basis for good jobs throughout the country, safeguard our common welfare, and contribute to Europe’s energy security and safety.”
The APA system, in place since 2003, applies to the most mature exploration regions on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS).
It is held each year and involves licensing in the regions of the continental shelf where exploration is most advanced.
The initiative provides oil companies with consistent access to exploration areas, supporting stable operations in the petroleum sector.
After more than five decades of exploration, the APA licensing now includes the majority of accessible acreage on the NCS.
The launch announcement replaces the need for a 26th licensing round in 2026 as the blocks nominated for that round have been included in the APA process.
The Ministry indicated that work on the 26th licensing round will continue separately.
Norway Minister of Energy Terje Aasland said: “Annual licensing rounds and good, stable and predictable framework conditions are essential to achieving the objectives of Norway’s petroleum policy.
“This is why today’s announcement, and the related expansion of the APA area, are important.
“It is important that the industry also seek[s] new, larger opportunities in these areas in the time ahead. Not instead of exploration near existing infrastructure but in addition to it.”
The primary focus of exploration in APA areas is on smaller discoveries that may not support individual development but could be profitable when combined with other finds or by utilising existing infrastructure.
Expected discovery sizes in these mature regions are declining, according to the Ministry.
In January this year, the Ministry allocated 57 new production licences to 19 companies as part of the APA 2025 licensing round.
