APA 2025 and Recent E&P Trends on the Norwegian Continental Shelf🌊

Last week we had the pleasure of hosting a well-attended talk on APA 2025 and recent exploration and production trends on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS).

Our January event in full swing!

We were delighted to welcome Elin Aabø, APA Coordinator at the Norwegian Offshore Directorate, who delivered a highly insightful overview of the APA framework and its latest developments.

Elin setting the stage.

Understanding the APA Framework

Although APA information is publicly available, Elin brought it together in a way that made it much clearer and easier to understand. She outlined:

• The structure of licence categories and their geographical distribution

• Key takeaways from the 57 new production licences awarded in APA 2025

• How licences awarded to a single operator are expected to function in practice

Her overview offered important clarification and how the APA scheme continues to evolve to support efficient exploration and resource maturation across mature areas of the NCS.

Key Themes from the Discussion

The session drew strong interest, with 47 registered participants and high levels of engagement.

A short questionnaire highlighted strong alignment on several themes shaping the current exploration landscape:

• A continued shift toward infrastructure-led and near-field exploration

• The sustained relevance of small discoveries on the NCS

• The critical role of subsurface understanding and data integration in enabling commercial success

Some of the results of the questionnaire.

These insights reflect a broader strategic pivot on the NCS, where maximising recovery, leveraging existing infrastructure and reducing development timelines are central to maintaining activity levels in a mature basin.

Looking Ahead

The discussion reinforced that the APA system remains a cornerstone of Norway's exploration model, balancing predictability with targeted access to acreage in well-defined areas. As the industry navigates energy transition pressures alongside the need for continued hydrocarbon supply, efficient use of data, collaboration and disciplined subsurface evaluation will remain essential.

From all of us at EAGE Local Chapter of Stavanger, we extend our sincere thanks to Elin and everyone who participated!

We look forward to continuing the dialogue on the future of exploration and subsurface development on the Norwegian Continental Shelf🌍

Sincerely,

EAGE Local Chapter of Stavanger