The work process
Below follows a brief description of the administrative procedure for pre-qualifying new players. The procedure will be slightly different in connection with re-qualifying a company.
- The player contacts the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (MPE) and confirms its desire to be a licensee or operator. The point of contact in the MPE is the Section for Exploration.
- The MPE initiates the evaluation process. The NPD and PSA will then be formally notified by the MPE and Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusion (MLSI), respectively, to start the process vis-à-vis the relevant player. The point of contact in the NPD and PSA is the Player Qualification Team.
- The player and the NPD/PSA agree on a date for a kick-off meeting in the NPD and PSA's offices.
The player shall give a brief presentation of its activities, expertise and plans for the Norwegian shelf in the kick-off meeting between the player and the NPD/PSA. The NPD/PSA will provide detailed information on the evaluation process, and the parties will together agree on the continued process (schedule, meeting times and locations). - Evaluation meeting(s) in the player's offices with presentations by the player and verifications of the player's systems and capacities. The normal duration of such meetings is 1-2 days.
- If the player is seeking qualification as an operator, a verification on one of the company's facilities will be required.
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The NPD and the PSA will each carry out an evaluation of the player and report separately to the MPE and the MLSI, respectively.
The NPD and the PSA will use the following evaluation form when evaluating new players:
Evaluation form (MS Word 0,06 MB) -
The MPE will give a joint response to the player based on the MLSI's recommendations/conclusions as regards HSE and the NPD's recommendations as regards resource management. The MPE will conduct an assessment of the player's financial position itself.
In certain cases, consideration may be given to pre-qualifying players based on a mandatory plan for improvement. In such cases, the companies must document within a specified deadline that the requirements stipulated for improvements will be met before final pre-qualification can take place.
This scheme will only apply in those cases where the player largely meets the expertise, capacity and financial requirements, but has certain areas where it is assumed that the player will be able to meet the authorities requirements shortly. Shortly normally means approximately six months.
Consents, permits, etc., pursuant to applicable regulations are required in order to commence activity on the Norwegian shelf. Pre-qualification as a licensee/operator does not automatically entail such consents/permits.
Updated: 03/03/2022