The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (MPE) has extended the production licenses in the Greater Ekofisk Area from 2028 to 2048 with ConocoPhillips Skandinavia AS as operator. A license extension provides long-term operations and resource management aligned with the company’s long-term perspective on the Norwegian continental shelf.

‘We are proud of our long-standing history in Norway, and we are pleased with the decision. Extended licenses in the Greater Ekofisk Area will contribute to sustainable and long-term investments, which again provides continued value creation, jobs and ripple effects. In addition, it ensures future energy supply security from the oil and gas province in the southwestern part of the North Sea’, said Steinar Våge, President of ConocoPhillips Europe, Middle East and North Africa.

Fields on the Norwegian continental shelf are required to operate with a valid production license where the operator and licensees enter into an agreement with the authorities, including relevant field activities. The authorities may require commitments, leading to increased oil recovery. The existing production licenses 018, 018 B and 275 in the Greater Ekofisk Area will expire on 31 December 2028. However, the MPE has recently approved an extension through 2048. Today, this provides a potential for extending Ekofisk's lifetime to nearly 80 years. The procedure to review licenses in advance of expiration date provides the involved parties predictability, which again ensures safe and efficient operations.

With the lifetime extension, the government acknowledges significant remaining potential for resource development and new projects in the Greater Ekofisk Area. Also, the area is an important hub for processing and transport of resources from many other fields in the North Sea.

‘After more than 50 years of activities, we extend our thanks to the authorities’ and governments’ trust in our operations, including the sound collaboration with our license partners. This milestone is a recognition of our work and long-term plans for continued development, aligned with the company’s vision first to come, last to leave. We continue to build on our HSE culture and ability to manage resources with new knowledge and technology, and we are finalizing the plan for development and operation of the Eldfisk North Project, expected to be submitted shortly. An extension of the production licenses is a premise for seeking approval for the project’, said Jan-Arne Johansen, ConocoPhillips General Manager of Operated Assets Europe.

The license partners are ConocoPhillips Skandinavia AS (operator with an ownership interest of 35,11%), TotalEnergies EP Norge AS (39,896%), Vår Energi AS (12,388%), Equinor Energy AS (7,604%) and Petoro AS (5%).

KeyFacts Energy: ConocoPhillips Norway country profile