About oil and gas Denmark has produced oil and gas from the North Sea since 1972, a production of great importance to the Danish economy, which creates workplaces both onshore and offshore. Licences for oil and gas Licences are permissions to explore for and produce hydrocarbons in a defined area. The Danish State grants licences for the exploration and production of oil and gas in Denmark. Resources and forecasts The DEA makes an annual assessment of Danish oil and gas resources on the basis of a pre-defined classification system. The aim of the classification system is to determine resources in a systematic way. Economy for oil and gas Oil and gas is produced from the Danish part of the North Sea. The production is of great socio-economic significance. Environmental requirements for oil and gas A number of environmental requirements must be met in connection with hydrocarbon exploration and production.