Norway on Monday issued an invitation to tender to international oil companies for the exploration and production of 192 blocks on the Norwegian continental shelf, amid high oil prices that make exploration more attractive.
The number of blocks offered this year is an "important expansion" from 2004 when 170 blocks were up for grabs, Petroleum and Energy Minister Thorhild Widvey said in a statement.
"Even though there are signs that exploration activity is picking up, we still need to maintain a high level of activity with regard to new production licences on the Norwegian continental shelf," she said.
"We expect a considerable increase in the number of planned exploration wells this year compared to 2004. Of course the high oil price is also an important factor, and may count for a larger part of the expected increase in exploration activity," she added.
The blocks are in so-called "predefined areas", that is, on or near mature oilfields.
High oil prices lower the profitability threshold, making the exploration of new smaller fields viable, as well as providing operators with an incentive to continue production drilling on mature wells. On Monday, a barrel of crude oil was selling for 44.05 dollars in London.
Oil groups have until September 30 to submit applications, and the distribution of blocks is scheduled to be announced in December.
Norway is the world's third-largest oil exporter behind Saudi Arabia and Russia, producing an average of three million barrels a day.