BG Group has welcomed the announcement that it has been awarded four new licences in the latest Norwegian pre-defined licensing round - APA 2005. The awards cover three licences in the North Tampen Area (Northern North Sea) and one in the Haltenbanken Area (Norwegian Sea).

BG will be operator in all the licences it has been awarded.

Today's award maintains BG's record of being awarded acreage in the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) with every application it has made in licensing rounds since its entry into the region in 2003.

Executive Vice President and Managing Director BG Europe Region, Mark Carne said:

"We are delighted by today's awards that allow us to continue our investment and expansion within the NCS.

"Since our entry into Norway, just two years ago, we have been awarded or acquired interests in 15 licences, and in eight of these we are now the operator. This is clear recognition of our long term commitment to the NCS."

The licence awards are as follows:

PL373S (BG 45% (op)) lies in the North Tampen Area. The licence award carries a commitment for a well to be drilled within three years.

PL 372S (BG 70% (op)) and PL374S (BG 45% (op)) also lie in the North Tampen Area. These licences carry a commitment for seismic and a future drill or drop decision within two years.

PL382 (BG 80% (op)) lies in the Haltenbanken Area. The licence award carries a commitment for seismic and a future drill or drop within three years.