The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has opened the 2026 oil and gas licensing round, offering 40 blocks across land, shallow-water and deepwater terrains to qualified investors.
NUPRC Chief Executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, announced the round at the commission’s fifth anniversary ceremony in Abuja, following approval by President Bola Tinubu, who also serves as Minister of Petroleum Resources.
The commission said the blocks would be available to investors with the technical expertise, financial capacity and commitment required to develop Nigeria’s petroleum resources.
The latest round is also expected to place greater emphasis on transparency. NUPRC said bidding guidelines would provide clearer details of the evaluation process, ensure fuller publication of results and require bidders to disclose their beneficial owners.
The commission said it would publish details of the blocks, qualification requirements and application procedures through its website and dedicated licensing portal.
Eyesan also identified the recovery of more than 788,000 barrels per day of shut-in production from 63 operators as an immediate priority. NUPRC is targeting the revival of those volumes alongside the advancement of offshore projects estimated at between $30 billion and $50 billion towards final investment decisions.
The 2026 exercise follows the 2025 licensing round, in which 143 companies submitted 200 bids for 37 blocks.
Leave a comment