exploration
ExxonMobil has has been an active player on the Norwegian exploration scene since 1965, when Esso Norge AS was awarded the first three exploration licenses on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS).
ExxonMobil is actively exploring blocks in more frontier areas and around existing infrastructure in the North Sea and Haltenbanken. The company has, both as an operator and as a partner in OBO (Operated By Others) projects, made many oil and gas discoveries.
The success is due to the application of state-of-the-art exploration technologies, a highly qualified and trained local staff, and access to ExxonMobil’s technical expertise on a global scale.
ExxonMobil participated in around one third of the discoveries made on the Norwegian Continental Shelf during the last four years. Two of the most important discoveries were made at the Sleipner West and Oseberg fields.
The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has estimated the size of these two discoveries at 40-60 million and 30-100 million barrels of oil equivalent, respectively. Common for the new discoveries is their location near existing infrastructure. Early 2011 the company was awarded interests in a new license in the 2010 APA Licensing Round.
In the 21st Licensing Round in the spring of 2011 the government awarded 24 production licenses. ExxonMobil was awarded interests in three licenses in the Norwegian Sea: PL 596 (Møre West), PL 598 (Ygg High) and PL 218 (B/Luva). ExxonMobil is operator of the first of the three mentioned licenses, Møre West, and partner in the other two licenses.
ExxonMobil will continue to evaluate available acreage in the North Sea, the Norwegian Sea and the Barents Sea. The company will continue the emphasis on co-existence with all industries through flawless implementation of our exploration programs, with zero harmful impact on the environment.
The company's performance on the Norwegian Continental Shelf to date, coupled with its world wide experience with environmentally sensitive areas, operating procedures and advanced technology, ensures that co-existence will continue in the future.
