Norway is offering new exploration licenses. According to Petroleum and Energy Ministry Tina Bru, the so-called 25th licensing round covers nine areas, eight of which are located in the Barents Sea and one further south in the Norwegian Sea and includes 136 blocks across both seas. Tina Bru said in a statement that “New discoveries are necessary to ensure continued activity, ripple effects, employment and governmental revenues throughout the country,”. On the other hand, The Supreme Court has announced to rule on an appeal by Greenpeace and Nature & Youth that oil production in the area.