According to the Nigerian Upstream Concession Situation Report released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) in August, at least 19 oil licences in Nigeria’s upstream sector are set to expire by 2026. The report provides an overview of petroleum exploration and production concessions within Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas industry, covering both Petroleum Prospecting Licences (PPLs) and Oil Prospecting Licences (OPLs).
The 19 licences include 12 PPLs and seven OPLs, all with stated expiration dates in 2026. Additionally, the report notes three licences expiring in 2025, with several others reaching their end in 2027.
Highlighted among the PPLs are PPL 220, managed by Navante Exploration and Production Limited, expiring on October 16, 2026; PPL 232 operated by Kizi Oil and Gas Services Limited, with an expiry of November 16 that year; and PPL 235 under Oceangate Engineering Oil & Gas Limited, expiring on November 1.
Further licences detail PPL 223 set to expire on November 30, 2026, and PPL 251 on November 16. PPL 266, operated by AOS Orchard Petroleum Development Limited, is due to expire on November 21, 2026. Also listed are PPL 277, PPL 275, and PPL 254, all with expiration dates of February 14, 2026. This indicates these licences had already expired when the report was published in August. However, the report does not mention that these concessions have been revoked or cancelled.
This report emerges as the Federal Government aims to lure new investments into Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas sector, with goals of enhancing crude oil production and promoting exploration of previously underutilized assets. The impending licence expirations are likely to be a significant focus for regulators, current operators, and potential investors as Nigeria seeks to fortify its petroleum sector.
