Norway, Western Europe’s biggest oil and gas producer, is offering up to 92 new blocks for hydrocarbon exploration in the new round of licensing in mature areas, the petroleum and energy ministry said on Tuesday. The proposal from the ministry adds 92 new oil and gas exploration blocks in the Norwegian Sea and the Barents Sea to the best-known areas for exploration. The announcement for the licensing round will take place in the third quarter of this year, with the award of blocks expected to be announced in January 2024. “We constantly need new discoveries to further develop the Norwegian continental shelf,” ... (full story)