Nigeria Prepares to Award Massive 220-Block Oil Licensing Round to Boost Production
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) is preparing to award over 220 oil blocks in an upcoming licensing round, marking one of the largest block offerings in the country’s history. The comprehensive package includes 59 unlicensed offshore deepwater blocks alongside significant onshore opportunities across multiple basins.
The allocation spans 41 blocks in the Benue Trough, 40 in the Chad Basin, 28 in the Sokoto Basin, 16 in the Bida Basin, 13 in the Anambra Basin, seven in the Niger Delta, and eight each in the Benin Basin and the onshore Niger Delta Basin. This strategic move aims to strengthen partnerships with international players and attract fresh investment to accelerate exploration across both deep and shallow waters.
Obenga Komolafe, Chief Executive of NUPRC, emphasized that the regulator seeks to increase Nigeria’s energy production while addressing technical, operational, commercial, and infrastructure challenges hindering offshore operations. The initiative represents a major push to revitalize Nigeria’s upstream sector and boost the country’s position as a leading African oil producer.
Enorense Amadasu, Executive Commissioner for Development and Production at NUPRC, noted that the licensing round will help tackle the various challenges that have been constraining offshore operations in recent years.
Source: energycapitalpower.com
