Nigeria's upstream regulator has approved 145 new oil wells this year as active rigs climb to 46
The NUPRC says faster approvals are cutting delays and costs for operators as it seeks to raise crude output.
Lagos — Nigeria's upstream oil regulator has approved 145 well-drilling operations so far this year, along with 595 well re-entries and 39 field development plans, a senior official said on Tuesday.
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) said the approvals are meant to raise crude output, attract investment and strengthen energy security, and that faster processing has reduced delays and costs for operators.
"Year to date, about 39 FDPs have been approved," said Ahmad Abdullahi, the commission's deputy director of basin administration, speaking for chief executive Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan at an oil conference in Lagos.
More rigs at work
Nigeria has more than 100 drilling rigs, 46 of them active this year, up more than 300% from 2021, according to the report. Seismic companies have invested more than $100 million since the Petroleum Industry Act came into force three years ago, improving exploration data.
The regulator said it is also working to curb crude theft.
Source: Reuters via MyJoyOnline, 11 November 2026.
