The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has cleared 145 new drilling projects, 595 well re-entries and 39 field development plans for 2026. The regulator disclosed these figures on Tuesday, November 10, during the 44th annual conference of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists in Lagos. According to Nairametrics, the approvals are intended to boost crude oil output, attract investment and strengthen the country's energy security.
Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, the commission's chief executive, was represented by Ahmad Abdullahi, deputy director of basin administration. MyJoyOnline reported that Eyesan stated the approvals reflected faster regulatory processing, which has reduced project delays and costs for operators. She noted that timely approvals are necessary to ensure production targets are met and energy availability is guaranteed. Nairametrics quoted the commission as saying, "About 145 new well-drilling approvals granted," highlighting the volume of recent activity.
Eyesan also disclosed that Nigeria's total rig count now exceeds 100, with 46 units actively drilling. AllAfrica reported that this represents an increase of more than 300% compared with levels recorded in 2021. The regulator attributed the improvement in upstream activity to greater regulatory certainty and the Petroleum Industry Act, which was enacted three years ago. According to Nairametrics, seismic data providers have poured over $100 million into Nigeria since the act took effect, improving geological understanding of the country's sedimentary basins.
The commission is also working to curb crude oil theft across the country. Nairametrics noted that efforts include the Advanced Cargo Declaration programme and joint surveillance with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, private security firms and the Navy. The regulator's broader objective is to create an environment where legitimate oil production is more profitable than crude oil theft. In October, NUPRC identified over 788,000 barrels per day of idle oil output across 63 operators, which it is targeting for restoration. The Federal Government has also opened the 2026 oil and gas licensing round, offering 40 blocks to local and international investors.