Before the licensees can develop a discovery, the authorities must approve a plan for development and operation of the petroleum deposit (PDO).
All petroleum which is produced and exported from the Norwegian continental shelf is metered in connection with purchase, sales, allocation and calculation of taxes.
Goliat is the first oil discovery to be developed in the Barents Sea. The operator, Eni Norge, plans to bring the field on stream in 2013, and Goliat is expected to produce for at least 15 years.
An Esso gas discovery was made by the Drillmaster rig with well 15/6-2R in 1974. Thirty-five years later, the licensees are considering whether Dagny is ready to be developed.