BG Group entered Norway in 2003 and now has 14 licences (10 as operator) gained predominantly through licensing rounds and located in four core areas.

Knarr (formerly Jordbær) Plan for Development and Operation (PDO) approved Licence PL599 in the Norwegian Sea awarded in the 21st Licensing Round

Key dates

2003
First licence (PL297) awarded

2004
Opened office in Stavanger

2007
Operatorship of the Bream licence (PL407) awarded

2008
Discoveries made at Pi North (now Gaupe), Ververis and Jordbær

2010
PDO for Gaupe field approved

E&P

Southern North Sea (SNS)
(5 licences, 4 operated)

BG Group first entered Norway in the southern North Sea, applying its UK Central Graben expertise and experience across the Norwegian median line area. Many of the plays being explored in Norway are similar to those developed and matured in the UK.

In 2008, a discovery of a gas and oil accumulation was declared on Gaupe (PL292) (BG Group 60% and operator). It is estimated to contain gross recoverable reserves of around 30 mmboe. In 2010, the PDO for the field received government approval. Gaupe will be a two-well sub-sea tie-back to the Group’s existing Armada infrastructure in the UK. Production is due to begin by 2012.

In 2009, BG Group concluded appraisal of the Bream (PL407) (BG Group 40% and operator) oil discovery which confirmed the extent of the reservoir. Concept screening work is now under way to evaluate development options.

North Tampen
(2 licences, 2 operated)

In 2008, a discovery was made with the Jordbær exploration well (PL373S) (BG Group 45% and operator), now renamed Knarr. This discovery has gross reserves estimated at around 60 mmboe. The PDO of the Knarr field was approved in June 2011 with first production scheduled in 2014. It will be developed using a leased floating production, storage and off-loading vessel (FPSO) with two drill centres. If commercial reserves are discovered in Knarr West, it will be developed in parallel with Knarr and the overall reserves for the Knarr development would then increase to an estimated 100 mmboe.

In 2010, a discovery was announced in the adjacent Blåbær (BG Group 45% and operator) licence (PL374S), a potential tie-back to the Knarr FPSO.

Mid-Norway
(4 licences, 3 operated)

BG Group drilled its first commitment well in this area in 2007, and in 2008 completed three large operated 3D surveys.

In the 21st licensing round in April 2011, BG Group was awarded PL599 (BG Group 40% and operator).

Barents Sea
(3 licences, 1 operated)

In 2007, the Nucula well was completed in PL393 (BG Group 20%) which was declared an oil and gas discovery. In 2008, an appraisal well found hydrocarbons.

In 2008, BG Group also completed an exploration well on the Ververis prospect on licence PL395 (BG Group 30%). The well was declared a discovery. A new licence Hegg (PL534) (BG Group 40% and operator) was awarded in the 20th Licensing Round. A new 3D seismic survey was acquired in 2010.