In 2005, Maersk Oil was awarded a 40% interest in licence 355 covering part of Block 2/4. Norsk Hydro is operator holding 40% and Wintershall holds the remaining 20%.

In 2005, Maersk Oil acquired a 60% interest and the operatorship in license 018 C covering part of Block 1/5. The licence includes a share of the Flyndre oil discovery.

In 2007, Maersk Oil was awarded participation in 3 new licences, all located in the Northern Viking Graben area in partnership with Nexen (Operator) and OMV (part of blocks 33/2&3), Wintershall (Operator) and Genesis (part of block 33/12) and Nexen (Operator), Wintershall and Genesis (part of blocks 34/8,9&11).

Further, in 2008 Maersk Oil has been preliminarily awarded 2 new exploration licences – PL472 (parts of Blocks 6406/2 & 6406/3) and PL474 (parts of Blocks 6406/1 & 6406/2) located in the Norwegian Sea/Haltenbanken Area. Maersk Oil holds an equity interest of 35% and 30% in the 2 licences respectively. Wintershall is operator in both licences (40% equity) whereas Bridge Energy respectively Aker Exploration hold the remaining shares.