Norse Energy Applies for High Volume Hydraulic Fracturing Permits in NY

22 July 2011

Norse Energy Corp. ASA (“NEC” ticker Oslo Stock Exchange, Norway; “NSEEY” ticker U.S. OTC) advises that Norse has begun applying to the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for authority to drill high volume hydraulically fractured horizontal shale wells in New York. The first permit application was submitted on July 14, 2011.

“While drilling permits will not be issued until the SGEIS becomes final, Norse believes that it is important to have applications ready for approval, once that process is completed,” commented Norse CEO, Mark Dice. “I am excited to be taking this important step toward development of Norse’s potentially abundant Marcellus and Utica Shale resource”, concluded Dice.

Norse Energy has total contingent resources of 3.9 TCF (~700 MMBOE) at the end of 2010. The Company has a significant land position of 180,000 net acres in New York State.

For further information, please contact:
Richard Boughrum, Chief Financial Officer
Cell: +1 714 520 1702, Email: rboughrum@norseenergy.com

S. Dennis Holbrook, Executive Vice President

Cell: +1 716 713-2489, Email: dholbrook@norseenergy.com