Oljedirektoratet

The Shelf in 2005 - Resource accounts (preliminary figures as of 31 December 2005)

12/01/2006 There has been no significant change in the total estimate of petroleum resources on the Norwegian continental shelf as of 31 December 2005.  However, there has been a substantial maturing of the resources on the shelf.

4.3 GSm3 oil equivalents (billion Sm3 o.e.) have been produced as of 31 December 2005.  54 discoveries and more than 200 projects for improved recovery yield a portfolio of 5.4 GSm3 o.e. remaining proven resources.

There has been a significant increase in gross reserves in 2005.  The increase in gross gas and liquid reserves amounts to 281 MSm3 oil equivalents (million Sm3o.e.).  Submission of the Plan for Development and Operation (PDO) for Tyrihans, approval of the amended PDO for Statfjord (Statfjord late life) and added reserves on Kristin are the largest contributors to this increase.  About 163 MSm3 o.e are the result of approval and submission of development plans, as well as reserves that the licensee groups have decided to develop.  The remaining 118 MSm3 o.e come from increased reserves in several fields, in part as a consequence of approval of contingent resources in fields.

The gross increase in oil reserves during 2005 was 155 MSm3 - or almost one billion barrels.  This constitutes 19 percent of the NPD's goal of achieving five billion new barrels of oil reserves by 2015.  The 2005 increase is the highest in five years.


The condensate reserves were reduced by 31 MSm3 o.e. as a consequence of the fact that the Kristin, Mikkel and Åsgard fields will sell condensate reserves as oil from 1 July 2006. (Halten Blend).

The estimate of total undiscovered resources is unchanged compared with last year's estimate.

Contact in the NPD:
Eldbjørg Vaage Melberg, tel. +47 51 87 61 00

Updated: 04/09/2009

Latest news

Entering into cooperation with Greenland and Denmark on seabed minerals
15/04/2024 This cooperation involves an MoU – Memorandum of Understanding – with the aim of acquiring additional knowledge on seabed minerals.
Drilling permit for well 35/11-27 S
03/04/2024 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted Wintershall Dea Norge AS drilling permit for well 35/11-27 S in production licence 248, cf. Section 13 of the Resource Management Regulations.
Seabed minerals – step by step
26/03/2024 Seabed minerals represent a new and exciting opportunity for Norway, and a chance for us to be a pioneer nation – much like we have been within the oil and gas industry, both as regards stewardship of resources and development of technology.
Drilling permit for well 24/6-5
25/03/2024 The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has granted Aker BP ASA drilling permit for well 24/6-5 in production licence 203, cf. Section 13 of the Resource Management Regulations.
Sign up for Technology Day 2024
22/03/2024 Now, a very exciting program with lectures from a variety of companies is ready for Technology Day on June 6th.
The industry gives the Norwegian Offshore Directorate high marks
22/03/2024 Nearly all petroleum industry executives believe that the Norwegian Offshore Directorate is achieving its objective to contribute to the greatest possible value for the broader society from the oil and gas industry.
Extending deadline for award
22/03/2024 The deadline for nominating candidates for the Improved Recovery Award is being extended to 15 April. The prestigious award will be given out during ONS in August.
We need your input
21/03/2024 Are you familiar with the printed version of our Map of the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS)? Do you have one yourself – maybe hanging on your wall? Is this something that's nice to have or a useful tool? We're conducting a mini-survey to map this specific issue.
Oil discovery in the North Sea
21/03/2024 Equinor has delineated the "Heisenberg" oil and gas discovery in wells 35/10-11 S and A in the North Sea, and has also proven oil in the Hummer prospect.
Production figures February 2024
20/03/2024 Preliminary production figures for February 2024 show an average daily production of 2 064 000 barrels of oil, NGL and condensate.