Nigeria’s upstream oil regulator has approved 145 new well-drilling operations, 595 well re-entries and 39 field development plans (FDPs) so far this year as it seeks to boost crude output, attract investment and strengthen energy security, a senior official said on Tuesday.
- The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) said the approvals reflected faster regulatory processing that has reduced project delays and costs for operators
- “Year to date, about 39 FDPs have been approved. About 145 new well-drilling approvals granted. Year to date, about 595 well re-entry approvals were granted,” NUPRC Chief Executive Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan said at an oil conference in Lagos
- Eyesan, represented by Ahmad Abdullahi, deputy director of basin administration, said faster approvals were helping operators advance projects needed to meet production targets and support energy availability
- She said Nigeria had more than 100 drilling rigs, with 46 active this year, up more than 300% from 2021 levels
- Eyesan also said seismic companies had invested more than $100 million in Nigeria since the Petroleum Industry Act came into force three years ago, improving exploration data and supporting efforts to discover new oil and gas reserves
- The regulator is also working to curb crude theft across the country