Encouraged by the success of oil exploration and production in the North Sea in the 1960s, Norway began hydrocarbon exploration in the Barents Sea in 1969. They acquired seismic reflection surveys through the following years, which were analysed to understand the location of the main sedimentary basins. NorskHydro drilled the first well in 1980, which was a dry hole, and the first discoveries were made the following year: the Alke and Askeladden gas fields. Several more discoveries were made on the Norwegian side of the Barents Sea throughout the 1980s, including the important Snøhvit field.
encouraged by the success of oil exploration and production in the north sea in the 1960s norway began hydrocarbon exploration in the barents sea in 1969 they acquired seismic reflection surveys through the following years which were analysed to understand the location of the main sedimentary basins norskhydro drilled the first well in 1980 which was a dry hole and the first discoveries were made the following year the alke and askeladden gas fields several more discoveries were made on the norwegian side of the barents sea throughout the 1980s including the important snøhvit field