BG Group entered Norway in 2004, with the award of PL297 (Mandarin) in the North Sea. The Group now has 19 licences (14 as operator), gained predominantly through licensing rounds and located in four established core areas. In 2007, BG Group started its exploration drilling programme and drilled and completed three wells, with the Nucula well in the Barents Sea declared a technical discovery. In 2008, BG Group made discoveries at Pi North, Ververis and Jordbær.

Key dates

2004
BG Group awarded first licence, PL297
BG Group opened office in Stavanger

2005
Completion of the Tulipan exploration well

2006
Awarded eight licences in the 19th Licensing Round

2007
Awarded operatorship of the Bream licence (PL407)
Completion of the Nucula exploration well

2008
Discoveries made at Pi North, Ververis and Jordbær

(5 licences, 4 operated)

This was the entry point into Norway, with BG Group applying its UK Central Graben expertise and experience to the Norwegian median line area. Many of the plays being explored in the Norway licences are similar to those developed and matured in the UK. Two operated exploration wells, Orange and Pi North were completed here in 2007-2008. Pi North was declared a discovery. A commitment has been made for the drilling of the high pressure/high temperature Mandarin prospect, scheduled for 2009.

In January 2007, BG Group was awarded the PL407 licence as operator, which contains the Bream oil discovery. The drilling of an appraisal well on Bream is scheduled for first quarter 2009.

(6 licences, 5 operated)

A 3D seismic survey was acquired over the Plomme prospect (PL372S) in 2006, which will be used to determine any future drilling plans. A discovery was made on the BG Group-operated Jordbær exploration well (PL373S). One further licence was gained through the award of PL467S in the 2007 APA Licence Round, and a 3D seismic survey will be acquired in third quarter 2008.

(5 licences, 4 operated)

BG Group drilled its first commitment well in this area in 2007. In addition, during 2007-2008, BG Group completed three large operated 3D surveys. The data will determine if an exploration well is to be drilled on any of these licences.

(3 licences, 1 operated)

BG Group completed its first Barents Sea well in March 2007 as a participant in the StatoilHydro-operated Nucula well located in PL393. This well is an oil and gas discovery and post-well work continues to determine any appraisal requirement. Nucula is located less than 50 kilometres from the coast and the well was drilled less than a year after the licence was awarded. In July 2008,
BG Group completed its second exploration well in the Barents Sea, on the Ververis prospect. The well was declared a discovery and post-well analysis is now ongoing. In 2008, a 3D survey was also completed in PL396, which is operated by BG Group.