We are expanding our presence in Norway as planned. The focus of all our efforts is to be able to launch deliveries of natural gas to Poland via the Baltic Pipe in 2022. Step by step, supported by the Polish government and working with reliable partners, we are implementing a programme to diversify sources of gas supplies to Poland, said Piotr Woźniak, President of the PGNIG SA Management Board. We intend to actively participate in future licensing rounds in Norway. We are also holding business talks to acquire new areas for hydrocarbon exploration and production, added Mr Woźniak.

PGNiG Upstream Norway, as the operator, will drill an exploratory well within the PL838 licence area using a semi-submersible drilling rig. For three years now, PGNiG UN has been the operator of the PL838 licence, holding a 40% interest. Its partners are Aker BP and DEA Norge, each with a 30% interest. Located in the Norwegian Sea, the PL838 licence area is directly adjacent to the Skarv and Ærfugl fields, in which PGNiG holds a 12% interest as a partner.

Several oil and gas prospects have been recorded within the licence area. Drawing on its experience in Poland, PGNiG suggested a geological concept for the area, which was appreciated by our Norwegian partners, who unanimously approved our recommendation to drill an exploratory well. The well, expected to be spudded in 2019, is currently being designed.

PGNiG Upstream Norway holds interests in 20 exploration and production licences in Norway, acting as the operator under two of them. The company produces hydrocarbons from five fields and holds interests in two other fields, which are currently being developed. The PGNiG Group’s recoverable reserves in Norway total 83 mboe (as at January 1st 2018).