Oil and gas activities, investments, Q4 2006

Exploration activities in 2007 are estimated at NOK 24.7 billion. This is the highest exploration estimates given, measured in current prices, since Statistics Norway started collecting estimates in 1985.

Estimates for 2006

Total investments in oil and gas extraction and pipeline transport for 2006 are now estimated at NOK 99.9 billion. This is NOK 0.3 billion lower than the approximate calculation conducted in the survey last quarter, but an increase of NOK 12.8 billion compared with the corresponding estimate given for 2005. The increase in 2006 is due to higher investments in all investments areas except pipeline transportation where the estimates indicate a decrease.

Exploration activities in 2006 are now estimated at NOK 12.5 billion. Compared with previous quarter this estimate is NOK 1.0 billion lower. Compared with the corresponding estimate given for 2005, the estimate for 2006 is 5.4 billion higher.

Investments in field development and fields on stream are now estimated at NOK 62.5 billion. This is a NOK 10.8 billion increase compared with the corresponding estimate given for 2005.

Onshore activity and pipeline transportation are estimated at NOK 18.1 and 6.9 billion respectively.

Estimates for 2007

Total investments in oil and gas activities for 2007, including pipeline transportation, are preliminary estimated at NOK 100.2 billion. The estimate is NOK 7.4 billion higher than the corresponding number for 2006 and NOK 11.6 billion higher than the estimate given in the previous quarter.

Investments for exploration activity in 2007 are estimated at record high NOK 24.7 billion. The number is NOK 12.5 billion higher than the corresponding estimate for 2006, given in the fourth quarter of 2005.

Investments for field development and fields on stream are now estimated at NOK 62.1 billion.

This is NOK 3.6 billion higher than the estimate given in the previous quarter.

Onshore activities and pipeline transportation are estimated at NOK 10.0 and 3.5 billion respectively.

Tables:

• Table 1 Accrued and estimated investment costs. Extraction of crude petroleum and natural gas and transport via pipelines. 2002-2007. Million NOK
• Table 2 Accrued investment costs for oil and gas exploration, by cost category. Q3 2004 - Q3 2006. NOK million
• Table 3 Accrued investment costs for field development and fields on stream. Q3 2004 - Q3 2006. Million NOK
• Table 4 Estimated and accrued investment costs for oil and gas extraction and pipeline transport. 1985-2007
• Table 5 Accrued investment costs for oil and gas exploration, by cost category. 1995-2005. NOK Million
• Table 6 Accrued investment costs for oil and gas exploration. Quarterly. 1981-2006. NOK Million
• Table 7 Accrued investment costs for oil and gas exploration, by cost category. Q2 2004 - Q3 2006. NOK Million
• Table 8 Estimated and accrued investment costs for oil and gas exploration. 1985-2007
• Table 9 Estimated and accrued exploration costs. Quarterly. 1991-2006. NOK Million
• Table 10 Exploration wells started on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. Quarterly. 1984-2006
• Table 11 Rig days on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. Quarterly. 1984-2006
• Table 12 Drilling metres on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. Quarterly. 1984-2006
• Table 13 Accrued investment costs for field development, by cost category. 1995-2005. NOK Million
• Table 14 Accrued investment costs for field development. Quarterly. 1982-2006. NOK Million
• Table 15 Accrued investment costs for field development and fields on stream, by cost category. Q2 2004 - Q3 2006. NOK Million
• Table 16 Estimated and accrued investment costs for field development. 1985-2007
• Table 17 Field development. Commodity costs accrued abroad. 1985-2005.
• Table 18 Commodity and service costs. Field development. 2001-2006. NOK Million.
• Table 19 Commodity and service costs. Field development. Accrued abroad. 2001-2006. NOK Million
• Table 20 Accrued investment costs for production drilling, by cost category. 1996-2005. NOK Million
• Table 21 Accrued investment costs for production drilling, by cost category. Field development and fields on stream. Q2 2004 - Q3 2006. NOK Million