Act relating to Exploration for and Exploitation of Submarine Natural Resources

by Trude Meland, Norwegian Petroleum Museum

Passed by the Storting (parliament) on 21 June 1963, the Act relating to Exploration for and Exploitation of Submarine Natural Resources vested the right to these assets in the state.

— "§1 this Act applies to the exploration and exploitation of natural deposits on the seabed and or in its subsoil"

The government was authorised to issue licences to explore for and exploit the resources. Norway’s first reconnaissance licences were awarded in the same year. These permitted such activities as seismic surveying, but not drilling. Nor did they confer a pre-emptive right to exploit petroleum deposits or other natural resources.

Regulations for drilling and production were not issued until 9 April 1965 because the government wanted to wait until the issue of the boundaries with the UKCS and Denmark had been settled.

Norway proclaims sovereignty over NCS Norwegian and French companies join forces

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Published October 24, 2017 • Updated December 12, 2019