The Norwegian Ministry of Oil and Energy has received applications from a total of 31 companies in relation to the announced TFO2021, according to a press release.

A so-called TFO is an open competition for licenses for the best known exploration areas on the Norwegian shelf and includes most of the exploration areas available.

When this year’s round of licenses was announced in June, a total of 84 blocks were on the market, 4 of which are in the North Sea, 10 in the Norwegian sea, and 70 in the Barents Sea.

By the 8 September deadline, the ministry had received applications from a total of 31 companies. The number of applications is withheld for competition reasons. The ministry aims to award new licenses for the areas announced early in 2022.