Nigeria lowers entry barriers to attract investors for latest oil round

Nigeria launched its delayed 2025 licensing round last month, offering 50 oil and gas blocks, including 15 onshore, 19 shallow-water assets, 15 frontier basins and one deepwater block. It has signalled the licensing rounds will now be held annually.

The round is central to the West African country's plans to raise output to 2.7 million barrels per day by 2027 - from current output of 1.5 million bpd - and boost government revenues, reserves and investment inflows.

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) reduced the signature bonus or sign-on fee for the round to between $3 million and $7 million, officials said during a presentation to potential investors on Wednesday. That is down from $10 million in 2024 and way below the roughly $200 million required several years ago.

PROMOTING STABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY

The NUPRC said the new range was designed to lower entry costs and shift emphasis toward technical capability, credible work programmes, financial strength and swift delivery of production.

Chevron said in December it would participate in the auction and TotalEnergies also expressed interest.

NUPRC head Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan assured investors that the changes for the round, the first she will oversee since her appointment in December, will provide a stable and predictable regulatory environment.

“You are not navigating uncertainty, you are operating with a framework that is transparent, predictable and deliberately designed to inspire confidence,” she said.

To improve transparency, NUPRC said the licensing round would be subject to oversight by its NEITI watchdog - part of the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative - and other government agencies.

The regulator added that the licensing process will be fully digital, with investors able to access data and submit bids through an online portal.

It has also introduced incentives for new gas-only developments, deepwater projects and cost-efficiency improvements.

Nigeria, which relies on oil for most of its export earnings, is seeking to revive production after years of underinvestment and security challenges in its oil-rich Niger Delta.