Norway has discovered a new gas field near the Goliat field in the Arctic part of the Barents Sea. According to preliminary estimates, the new deposit holds from 9 to 21 billion standard cubic meters.

“This is the largest discovery on the [Norwegian continental] shelf this year and comes as a Christmas gift,” Vaar Energi exploration manager Alessandro Barberis said in a statement.

According to the company, the discovery in the Lupa prospect will strengthen its long-term plans to expand activities in the area.