SANDEFORD, Norway Jan 19 (Reuters) - Norway's oil ministry
awarded 56 oil and gas exploration licences in mature areas on
Tuesday and said it plans to launch a new licencing round in
mature areas before Easter this year.
"I have the pleasure to offer 56 new exploration licences.
27 in the North Sea, 24 in the Norwegian Sea and five in the
Barents Sea," oil minister Tord Lien told an industry
conference.
A total of 36 companies were awarded stakes to explore in
mature areas, or areas already opened for exploration, the
Petroleum and Energy ministry said.
The biggest winner was Statoil STL.OL with 24 licences,
including 13 operatorships. Others to win operatorships include
Lundin LUPE.ST and Eni ENI.MI .