The Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy now confirms to newspaper DN that the license round will be held after the original schedule. According to the ministry, the delay is due to the need for additional 3D seismic data from the area.
Included in the round will be a great number of Arctic blocks, many of which are expected to be located in waters bordering on Russia.
The new time schedule is not yet determined, the ministry informs.
Usually, the bi-annual license rounds have been completed in June month. As previously reported, the 23rd Round has so far proceeded according to schedule, and the ministry in February this year announced its proposed number of blocks for offer. Included in the proposal are 61 blocks, of which 34 blocks are in waters bordering on Russia and 20 in other parts of the Barents Sea. Among the bidders are a major number of companies, including the Russian Rosneft and Lukoil.
The postponement comes as Statoil together with a consortium of more than 30 companies announce the launch of comprehensive additional seismic operations in the easternmost waters of the Norwegian Arctic shelf.
