DNO ASA
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DNO ASA (OSE: DNO) is a Norwegian oil and gas operator focused on the Middle East and the North Sea. Founded in 1971 and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange, the Company holds stakes in onshore and offshore licenses at various stages of exploration, development and production in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, Norway, the United Kingdom and Yemen.
About DNO
DNO is Norway's oldest oil company and the first to list on the Oslo Stock Exchange in 1981. During the last two decades, the company's focus has shifted from the North Sea to the Middle East region.
In 2004, DNO was the first international oil company to enter the Kurdistan region of Iraq, at a time when the Kurdish region's oil industry was virtually non-existent. The company began production from its flagship Tawke oil field in Kurdistan in 2007 – just two years after the start of exploration activities. The neighboring Peshkabir field was brought on production in 2018.
DNO is now the leading international operator in Kurdistan in terms of production (more than 110,000 barrels of oil per day in 2017) and reserves (the Tawke and Peshkabir fields together hold more than 500 million barrels of proven and probable reserves).
The company also re-entered the North Sea in 2017, acquiring offshore exploration licenses in Norway and the United Kingdom. This has since expanded to include the Norwegian Sea and the Barents Sea.
In April 2024, DNO ASA, with partners including OKEA ASA, announced the advancement of the Brasse field development in the North Sea, with plans for a tie-back to the nearby Brage platform and a projected start of production in the first half of 2027. The field, expected to be renamed Bestla, holds an estimated 24 million barrels of recoverable reserves and could contribute 10,000 boepd net to OKEA at peak production, with operation potentially extending beyond 2031.
Operations
Kurdistan region of Iraq
DNO entered the region in 2004 and now has a leading position in reserves and production.
Norway
DNO re-entered Norway in 2017 through the acquisition of Origo Exploration and now holds twenty-one licenses on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.
United Kingdom
DNO entered the United Kingdom in 2017 through the acquisition of Origo Exploration and now holds three licenses on the UK Continental Shelf.
Yemen
In 1998, DNO entered Yemen, the company's first foray into the Middle East.
Assets
As of 31 December 2025, DNO held interests in oil and natural gas exploration, development and production activities in Norway, the United Kingdom, Iraqi Kurdistan, the Netherlands and Yemen, as well as an indirect interest in Côte d'Ivoire.
Kurdistan, Iraq
| License | Type | Status | Ownership | Operator | Partners |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tawke PSC | Onshore | Production | 75% | DNO Iraq AS | Genel Energy International Limited |
| Baeshiqa PSC | Onshore | Development | 64% | DNO Iraq AS | Turkish Energy Company Limited, KRG |
Norway
| License | Type | Status | Ownership | Operator | Partners |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PL001 B | Offshore | — | 15% | Aker BP ASA | DNO Norge AS, Equinor Energy AS |
| PL001 E | Offshore | — | 15% | Aker BP ASA | DNO Norge AS, Equinor Energy AS |
| PL006 C (SE Tor) | Offshore | Production | 65% | DNO Norge AS | Aker BP ASA |
| PL018 (Ekofisk) | Offshore | Production | 7,6% | ConocoPhillips Skandinavia AS | DNO Norge AS, TotalEnergies EP Norge AS, Vår Energi ASA, Petoro AS |
| PL019 (Ula) | Offshore | Production | 20% | Aker BP ASA | DNO Norge AS |
| PL019 E (Ula) | Offshore | Production | 20% | Aker BP ASA | DNO Norge AS |
| PL019 F (Ula) | Offshore | Production | 45% | Aker BP ASA | DNO Norge AS |
| PL028 B (Hanz) | Offshore | — | 15% | Aker BP ASA | DNO Norge AS, Equinor Energy AS |
| PL040 (Martin Linge) | Offshore | Production | 19% | Equinor Energy AS | DNO Norge AS, Petoro AS |
| PL043 (Martin Linge) | Offshore | Production | 19% | Equinor Energy AS | DNO Norge AS, Petoro AS |
| PL043 BS (Martin Linge) | Offshore | Production | 19% | Equinor Energy AS | DNO Norge AS, Petoro AS |
| PL048 D (Enoch) | Offshore | — | 9,3% | Equinor Energy AS | Petrolia NOCO AS, Aker BP ASA, DNO Norge AS |
| PL053 B (Brage) | Offshore | Production | 14,3% | OKEA ASA | Lime Petroleum AS, DNO Norge AS, Petrolia NOCO AS, M Vest Energy AS |
| PL055 (Brage) | Offshore | Production | 14,3% | OKEA ASA | Lime Petroleum AS, DNO Norge AS, Petrolia NOCO AS, M Vest Energy AS |
| PL055 B (Brage) | Offshore | Production | 14,3% | OKEA ASA | Lime Petroleum AS, DNO Norge AS, Petrolia NOCO AS, M Vest Energy AS |
| PL055 D (Brage) | Offshore | Production | 14,3% | OKEA ASA | Lime Petroleum AS, DNO Norge AS, Petrolia NOCO AS, M Vest Energy AS |
| PL055 E (Brage) | Offshore | Production | 14,3% | OKEA ASA | Lime Petroleum AS, DNO Norge AS, Petrolia NOCO AS, M Vest Energy AS |
| PL055 FS (Brage) | Offshore | Production | 14,3% | OKEA ASA | Lime Petroleum AS, DNO Norge AS, Petrolia NOCO AS, M Vest Energy AS |
| PL065 (Tambar) | Offshore | Production | 45% | Aker BP ASA | DNO Norge AS |
| PL065 B (Tambar) | Offshore | Production | 45% | Aker BP ASA | DNO Norge AS |
| PL090 C | Offshore | — | 25% | Harbour Energy Norge AS | DNO Norge AS, Vår Energi ASA, Inpex Idemitsu Petroleum Norge AS |
| PL122 (Marulk) | Offshore | Production | 37% | DNO Norge AS | Equinor Energy AS, Orlen Upstream Norway AS |
| PL122 B (Marulk) | Offshore | Production | 37% | DNO Norge AS | Equinor Energy AS, Orlen Upstream Norway AS |
| PL122 C (Marulk) | Offshore | Production | 37% | DNO Norge AS | Equinor Energy AS, Orlen Upstream Norway AS |
| PL122 D (Marulk) | Offshore | Production | 37% | DNO Norge AS | Equinor Energy AS, Orlen Upstream Norway AS |
| PL127 (Verdande) | Offshore | Development/Production | 25% | Equinor Energy AS | Japex Norge AS, DNO Norge AS |
| PL127 DS (Verdande) | Offshore | Development/Production | 56% | DNO Norge AS | Japex Norge AS |
| PL128 (Nome) | Offshore | Production | 14,8% | Equinor Energy AS | Petoro AS, DNO Norge AS |
| PL128 B (Nome) | Offshore | Production | 6,9% | Equinor Energy AS | Petoro AS, DNO Norge AS |
| PL128 D (Nome) | Offshore | Production | 14,8% | Equinor Energy AS | Petoro AS, DNO Norge AS |
| PL128 E (Nome) | Offshore | Production | 14,8% | Equinor Energy AS | Petoro AS, DNO Norge AS |
| PL147 (Trym) | Offshore | Production | 100% | DNO Norge AS | — |
| PL147 B (Trym) | Offshore | Production | 100% | DNO Norge AS | — |
| PL159 B (Alve) | Offshore | Production | 32% | Equinor Energy AS | DNO Norge AS, Orlen Upstream Norway AS |
| PL159 G (Alve) | Offshore | Production | 32% | Equinor Energy AS | DNO Norge AS, Orlen Upstream Norway AS |
| PL167 (Symra) | Offshore | Development | 20% | Aker BP ASA | Equinor Energy AS, DNO Norge AS |
| PL167 B (Symra) | Offshore | Development | 20% | Aker BP ASA | Equinor Energy AS, DNO Norge AS |
| PL167 C (Symra) | Offshore | Development | 20% | Aker BP ASA | Equinor Energy AS, DNO Norge AS |
| PL185 (Brage) | Offshore | Production | 14,3% | OKEA ASA | Lime Petroleum AS, DNO Norge AS, Petrolia NOCO AS, M Vest Energy AS |
| PL193 (Kvitebjørn) | Offshore | Production | 19% | Equinor Energy AS | DNO Norge AS, Petoro AS, Orlen Upstream Norway AS, TotalEnergies EP Norge |
| PL193 C (Kvitebjørn) | Offshore | Production | 19% | Equinor Energy AS | DNO Norge AS, Petoro AS, Orlen Upstream Norway AS, TotalEnergies EP Norge |
| PL211 (Dvalin) | Offshore | Production | 10% | Harbour Energy Norge AS | DNO Norge AS, Petoro AS |
| PL242 (Ivar Aasen) | Offshore | Production | 15% | Aker BP ASA | DNO Norge AS, Equinor Energy AS, OKEA ASA, M Vest Energy AS |
| PL242 B (Ivar Aasen) | Offshore | Production | 15% | Aker BP ASA | DNO Norge AS, Equinor Energy AS, OKEA ASA, M Vest Energy AS |
| PL248 F (Vega) | Offshore | Production | 20% | Harbour Energy Norge AS | Petoro AS, DNO Norge AS |
| PL248 GS (Vega) | Offshore | Production | 20% | Harbour Energy Norge AS | Petoro AS, DNO Norge AS |
| PL248 K (Vega) | Offshore | Production | 20% | Harbour Energy Norge AS | Petoro AS, DNO Norge AS |
| PL293 B | Offshore | — | 20% | Equinor Energy AS | DNO Norge AS, Japex Norge AS, Inpex Idemitsu Petroleum Norge AS |
| PL293 CS | Offshore | — | 29% | Equinor Energy AS | DNO Norge AS, Japex Norge AS, Inpex Idemitsu Petroleum Norge AS |
| PL300 (Tambar Øst) | Offshore | Development | 45% | Aker BP ASA | DNO Norge AS |
| PL375 | Offshore | — | 20% | Equinor Energy AS | DNO Norge AS, Vår Energi ASA, Petoro AS |
| PL378 | Offshore | — | 12,1% | Harbour Energy Norge AS | DNO Norge AS, Pandion Energy AS |
| PL405 (Oda) | Offshore | Production | 85% | Aker BP ASA | DNO Norge AS |
| PL418 (Nova) | Offshore | Development | 45% | Harbour Energy Norge AS | DNO Norge AS, OKEA ASA, Pandion Energy AS |
| PL418 B (Nova) | Offshore | Development | 45% | Harbour Energy Norge AS | DNO Norge AS, OKEA ASA, Pandion Energy AS |
| PL435 (Dvalin) | Offshore | Production | 10% | Harbour Energy Norge AS | DNO Norge AS, Petoro AS |
| PL475 BS (Maria) | Offshore | Production | 20% | Harbour Energy Norge AS | DNO Norge AS, Petoro AS |
| PL475 CS (Maria) | Offshore | Production | 20% | Harbour Energy Norge AS | DNO Norge AS, Petoro AS |
| PL586 (Fenja) | Offshore | Production | 25% | Vår Energi ASA | DNO Norge AS |
| PL586 B (Fenja) | Offshore | Production | 25% | Vår Energi ASA | DNO Norge AS |
| PL636 (Duva) | Offshore | Production | 10% | Vår Energi ASA | DNO Norge AS, Inpex Idemitsu Norge AS, Orlen Upstream Norway AS |
| PL636 B (Duva) | Offshore | Production | 10% | Vår Energi ASA | DNO Norge AS, Inpex Idemitsu Norge AS, Orlen Upstream Norway AS |
| PL636 C (Duva) | Offshore | Production | 10% | Vår Energi ASA | DNO Norge AS, Inpex Idemitsu Norge AS, Orlen Upstream Norway AS |
| PL636 D (Duva) | Offshore | Production | 10% | Vår Energi ASA | DNO Norge AS, Inpex Idemitsu Norge AS, Orlen Upstream Norway AS |
| PL644 (Berling) | Offshore | Development | 30% | OMV (Norge) AS | Equinor Energy AS, DNO Norge AS |
| PL644 B (Berling) | Offshore | Development | 30% | OMV (Norge) AS | Equinor Energy AS, DNO Norge AS |
| PL644 C (Berling) | Offshore | Development | 30% | OMV (Norge) AS | Equinor Energy AS, DNO Norge AS |
| PL644 D (Berling) | Offshore | Development | 30% | OMV (Norge) AS | Equinor Energy AS, DNO Norge AS |
| PL740 (Bestla) | Offshore | Development | 39,3% | OKEA ASA | DNO Norge AS, Lime Petroleum AS, M Vest Energy AS |
| PL827 S | Offshore | — | 49% | Equinor Energy AS | DNO Norge AS |
| PL827 SB | Offshore | — | 49% | Equinor Energy AS | DNO Norge AS |
| PL836 S | Offshore | — | 30% | Harbour Energy Norge AS | DNO Norge AS, Equinor Energy AS |
| PL836 SB | Offshore | — | 30% | Harbour Energy Norge AS | DNO Norge AS, Equinor Energy AS |
| PL923 | Offshore | — | 20% | Equinor Energy AS | DNO Norge AS, Petoro AS |
| PL923 B | Offshore | — | 20% | Equinor Energy AS | DNO Norge AS, Petoro AS |
| PL929 | Offshore | — | 10% | Vår Energi ASA | Harbour Energy AS, Pandion Energy Norge AS, Aker BP ASA, DNO Norge AS |
| PL956 | Offshore | — | 15% | Vår Energi ASA | DNO Norge AS, Aker BP ASA |
| PL984 | Offshore | — | 30% | DNO Norge AS | Vår Energi ASA, Source Energy AS, Equinor Energy AS, Aker BP ASA |
| PL1049 | Offshore | — | 40% | DNO Norge AS | Concedo AS, Petoro AS |
| PL1085 | Offshore | — | 25% | Aker BP ASA | DNO Norge AS, Petoro AS |
| PL1086 | Offshore | Exploration | 50% | DNO Norge AS | Aker BP ASA, Petoro AS, Source Energy AS |
| PL1102 | Offshore | — | 30% | OKEA ASA | DNO Norge AS, Aker BP ASA, Equinor Energy AS |
| PL1102 B | Offshore | — | 30% | OKEA ASA | DNO Norge AS, Aker BP ASA, Equinor Energy AS |
| PL1102 C | Offshore | — | 30% | Equinor Energy AS | DNO Norge AS, Aker BP ASA |
| PL1108 | Offshore | — | 40% | DNO Norge AS | OKEA ASA, Pandion Energy AS |
| PL1109 | Offshore | — | 20% | OMV (Norge) AS | Aker BP ASA, DNO Norge AS, Pandion Energy AS, OKEA ASA |
| PL1113 | Offshore | — | 30% | OKEA ASA | DNO Norge AS |
| PL1119 | Offshore | — | 10% | Equinor Energy AS | Inpex Idemitsu Norge AS, OKEA ASA, DNO Norge AS |
| PL1121 | Offshore | — | 30% | Equinor Energy AS | DNO Norge AS, Vår Energi ASA |
| PL1135 | Offshore | Exploration | 20% | Orlen Upstream Norway AS | DNO Norge AS, Source Energy AS |
| PL1147 | Offshore | — | 20% | Aker BP ASA | DNO Norge AS, Equinor Energy AS |
| PL1148 | Offshore | — | 30% | Wellesley Petroleum AS | DNO Norge AS, Equinor Energy AS, Aker BP ASA |
| PL1148 B | Offshore | — | 30% | Wellesley Petroleum AS | DNO Norge AS, Equinor Energy AS, Aker BP ASA |
| PL1148 CS | Offshore | — | 30% | Wellesley Petroleum AS | DNO Norge AS, Equinor Energy AS, Aker BP ASA |
| PL1150 S | Offshore | — | 40% | OKEA ASA | DNO Norge AS |
| PL1151 | Offshore | — | 20% | Harbour Energy Norge AS | Aker BP ASA, DNO Norge AS, Pandion Energy AS, Equinor Energy AS |
| PL1151 B | Offshore | — | 20% | Harbour Energy Norge AS | Aker BP ASA, DNO Norge AS, Pandion Energy AS, Equinor Energy AS |
| PL1158 | Offshore | — | 40% | Aker BP ASA | DNO Norge AS, Equinor Energy AS |
| PL1171 | Offshore | — | 34% | Aker BP ASA | DNO Norge AS |
| PL1172 | Offshore | — | 30% | Aker BP ASA | DNO Norge AS, Orlen Upstream Norway AS |
| PL1175 | Offshore | — | 20% | Aker BP ASA | DNO Norge AS, Orlen Upstream Norway AS |
| PL1175 B | Offshore | — | 30% | Aker BP ASA | DNO Norge AS, Orlen Upstream Norway AS |
| PL1177 | Offshore | — | — | Equinor Energy AS | DNO Norge AS, OMV (Norge) AS |
| PL1182 S | Offshore | Exploration | 40% | DNO Norge AS | Aker BP ASA, Concedo AS |
| PL1185 | Offshore | — | 20% | Equinor Energy AS | DNO Norge AS, Aker BP ASA, Vår Energi ASA |
| PL1186 | Offshore | — | 20% | Equinor Energy AS | DNO Norge AS, Harbour Energy Norge AS, OKEA ASA |
| PL1198 | Offshore | — | 20% | Aker BP ASA | DNO Norge AS, Petoro AS, Source Energy AS |
| PL1198 B | Offshore | — | 20% | Aker BP ASA | DNO Norge AS, Petoro AS, Source Energy AS |
| PL1203 | Offshore | — | 20% | Vår Energi ASA | Equinor Energy AS, DNO Norge AS, Petoro AS |
| PL1204 | Offshore | — | 40% | DNO Norge AS | Equinor Energy AS |
| PL1204 BS | Offshore | — | 60% | DNO Norge AS | Equinor Energy AS |
| PL1205 | Offshore | — | 40% | ConocoPhillips Skandinavia AS | DNO Norge AS |
| PL1209 | Offshore | — | 40% | DNO Norge AS | Concedo AS, Equinor Energy AS |
| PL1212 S | Offshore | — | 40% | Equinor Energy AS | DNO Norge AS, Aker BP ASA |
| PL1213 S | Offshore | — | 30% | Vår Energi ASA | DNO Norge AS, Harbour Energy Norge AS |
| PL1216 | Offshore | — | 40% | DNO Norge AS | Harbour Energy Norge AS, Source Energy AS |
| PL1225 S | Offshore | — | 20% | Harbour Energy Norge AS | DNO Norge AS, Petoro AS |
| PL1226 | Offshore | — | 40% | Equinor Energy AS | DNO Norge AS |
| PL1228 | Offshore | — | 30% | OMV (Norge) AS | Equinor Energy AS, DNO Norge AS |
| PL1244 | Offshore | — | 60% | DNO Norge AS | Aker BP ASA |
| PL1245 | Offshore | — | — | Aker BP ASA | DNO Norge AS, Petoro AS |
| PL1251 | Offshore | — | 50% | DNO Norge AS | Concedo AS |
| PL1255 | Offshore | — | 20% | Wellesley Petroleum AS | Equinor Energy AS, DNO Norge AS, OKEA ASA |
| PL1258 | Offshore | — | 40% | Petrolia NOCO AS | DNO Norge AS |
| PL1260 | Offshore | — | 35% | Vår Energi ASA | DNO Norge AS, OKEA ASA |
| PL1267 | Offshore | — | 50% | DNO Norge AS | OKEA ASA, M Vest Energy AS |
| PL1270 | Offshore | — | 100% | DNO Norge AS | — |
| PL1271 S | Offshore | — | 25% | Aker BP ASA | DNO Norge AS, Equinor Energy AS |
| PL1273 | Offshore | — | — | Petrolia NOCO AS | DNO Norge AS |
United Kingdom
| License | Type | Status | Ownership | Operator | Partners |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P111 | Offshore | Production | 54,3% | Repsol Sinopec Resources UK Ltd | DNO North Sea (U.K.) Ltd, DNO North Sea (ROGB) Ltd, Dana Petroleum (BVUK) Ltd |
| P219 | Offshore | Production | 18,2% | Repsol Sinopec North Sea Ltd | DNO North Sea (ROGB) Ltd, Dana Petroleum (BVUK) Ltd, Waldorf Production UK Ltd |
| P255 | Offshore | Production | 45% | Shell U.K. Ltd | DNO North Sea (U.K.) Ltd, Spirit Energy Resources Ltd |
| P1720 (Arran) | Offshore | Production | 50% | Rockrose UKCS4 Ltd | DNO North Sea (U.K.) Ltd |
| P2543 | Offshore | Development | 50% | DNO North Sea (U.K.) Ltd | Aker BP UK Ltd |
| P359 Area A (Arran) | Offshore | Production | 18,9% | Shell U.K. Ltd | DNO North Sea (U.K.) Ltd, Rockrose UKCS4 Ltd |
| P359 Area B (Arran) | Offshore | Production | 18,9% | Shell U.K. Ltd | DNO North Sea (U.K.) Ltd, Rockrose UKCS4 Ltd |
Netherlands
| License | Type | Status | Ownership | Operator | Partners |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D18a | Offshore | Production/Decommissioning | 2,5% | Neptune E&P UKCS Ltd | DNO North Sea (U.K.) Ltd, Ineos UK SNS Ltd, Premier Oil E&P UK Ltd |
Yemen
| License | Type | Status | Ownership | Operator | Partners |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Block 47 | Onshore | Suspended | 64% | DNO Yemen AS | The Yemen Company, Geopetrol Hadramaut Incorporated |
Côte d'Ivoire
| License | Type | Status | Ownership | Operator | Partners |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Block CI-27 | Offshore | Production/Exploration | 9% indirect | Foxtrot International LDC | SECI SA, Petroci |
Board of directors
Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani - Executive Chairman
Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani is an experienced oil and gas executive and has served as DNO's Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors since 2011. Mr. Mossavar-Rahmani serves concurrently as Executive Chairman of Oslo-listed RAK Petroleum plc, DNO's largest shareholder. He is a member of the nomination and remuneration committees.
Lars Arne Takla - Deputy Chairman
Lars Arne Takla has extensive experience from various managerial, executive and board positions in the international oil and gas industry. He was elected to DNO's Board of Directors in 2012 and is a member of the HSSE committee.
Elin Karfjell - Director
Elin Karfjell is Managing Partner of Aelika AS and has held various management positions across a broad range of industries. Ms. Karfjell was elected to DNO's Board of Directors in 2015 and is a member of the audit committee.
Gunnar Hirsti - Director
Gunnar Hirsti has executive experience from various managerial, executive and board positions in the oil and gas industry as well as the information technology industry in Norway. He was elected to DNO's Board of Directors in 2007 and is a member of the audit and remuneration committees.
Shelley Watson - Director
Shelley Watson began her career as a reservoir surveillance and facilities engineer with Esso Australia in its offshore Bass Strait operation. She has served on DNO's Board of Directors since 2010 and is a member of the audit committee.
Criticism from the National Contact Point
The Norwegian National Contact Point concluded in 2018 that DNO had not met the expectations expressed in the OECD Guidelines on prior notice and consultation with the employees of DNO Yemen in connection with suspension of the company's Yemeni operations in 2015. The key issue in the complaint concerned lack of prior notice and consultation between DNO and the employee representatives in Yemen in connection with collective dismissals and suspension of production in the war-like situation that prevailed in 2015. The complaint also concerned the question of whether DNO had obstructed the workers’ right to organize and collective bargaining in Yemen, and the validity of dismissals as part of the downsizing process.
Industri Energi had for some time tried to help the workers of DNO Yemen after having received desperate appeals from the workers who were sacked by text messages and e-mails when the company withdrew from the country, and not been given the wages and benefits they were entitled to. Still the workers have not received the compensation they legally are entitled to according to court decisions in Yemen.
External links
- (from Oslo Børs/Oslo Stock Exchange)