OSLO, Nov 5 (Reuters) - Norway's oil minister said on Thursday the ministry had invited oil companies to nominate blocks to be included in the 21st licensing round on the Norwegian continental shelf with awards planned for spring 2011.

'With the 21st licensing round I seek to give the oil industry access to attractive areas which are less explored,' the Minister of Petroleum and Energy Terje Riis-Johansen said in a statement.

The announcement was intended to take place before summer 2010, with awards of new production licenses planned for spring 2011, the ministry said.

(Reporting by Oslo newsroom) Keywords: NORWAY OIL/

(richard.solem@thomsonreuters.com; +47 22 93 69 71; Reuters Messaging: richard.solem.reuters.com@reuters.net)

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