NUPRC to offer 50 Oil, Gas Blocks as 2025 licensing round begins December 1

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has announced that 50 oil and gas blocks across various basins and terrains will be opened to investors under the 2025 Petroleum Licensing Round, scheduled to commence on December 1.

The commission, in a statement on Friday, said the upcoming bid round, approved by President Bola Tinubu, will be conducted in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.

According to NUPRC, the identified blocks span onshore, shallow-water, and deepwater terrains, offering opportunities for diverse investor participation.

“Detailed guidelines, participation requirements, and block information shall be accessible on the Licensing Round portal upon its official launch,” the agency noted.

As part of preparatory events, NUPRC has scheduled a pre-bid conference for December 17 in Lagos, while a series of international roadshows will follow in major energy hubs—Dubai on January 5, 2026; Singapore on January 8, 2026; Beijing on January 12, 2026; and Houston on January 19, 2026.

The commission explained that the licensing round is central to its mandate under the PIA to stimulate upstream investments, expand Nigeria’s hydrocarbon reserves, and strengthen overall energy sector competitiveness.

It added that comprehensive details—covering block descriptions, guidelines, and participation processes—will be published on a dedicated portal: www.nuprc.gov.ng and br2025.nuprc.gov.ng, once the platform goes live.

Reaffirming its commitment to transparency, fairness, and environmental responsibility, the NUPRC said it looks forward to robust participation from stakeholders and expressed optimism about new opportunities the 2025 bid round will unlock for Nigeria’s energy landscape.