Lukoil
 Overseas North Shelf AS, a subsidiary of the Russian oil major Lukoil, 
obtained a 20% stake in an offshore development project in Norway, 
Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum said on Wednesday.
	
Stakes in the offshore license PL858 were also acquired by Det Norske
 - 40% (project operator), Statoil and Petoro AS - 20% each.
	
"Today, we are opening a new chapter in the history of the Norwegian 
Petroleum industry. For the first time in twenty years, we offer new 
acreage for exploration. This will contribute to employment, growth and 
value creation in Norway," Norway’s Petroleum Minister Tord Lien said 
commenting on issue of licenses.
(ITAR-TASS)