First Oil Drilling on the Norwegian Shelf Morning report 18-7-1966 – 21-7-1966 (Norway)  3 Sheets, paper; A4 size National Archives of Norway Regional State Archive in Stavanger SAS/A-101917 (PA-1512)/E/Ea/L0011, L0012 and L0020 Norway is the leading producer of oil in Europe today (excepting Russia), and one of the most important producers in the world. Things changed rapidly when oil was discovered in the Norwegian continental shelf in the early 1960s, and the first round of licensing of oil activity was announced on 9 April 1965. Esso rented a drilling rig in November 1965 from Odeco, one of the world's largest players in offshore exploration drilling. These documents and photos witness the beginning of oil in Norway. The ‘Ocean Traveler’ rig was constructed in New Orleans and towed over the Atlantic when it was completed. On 21 June 1966, it entered Stavanger. Other documents included the ‘Daily Drilling Report’, a diary of the activities on the rig, recording weather and...