Abuja – The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has officially launched the 2025 Licensing Round, offering 50 oil and gas blocks across onshore, shallow water, deep offshore, and frontier basins for bidding.
The eight-month bidding process, running from November 17, 2025, to July 17, 2026, targets increased reserves, foreign direct investment, local content development, job creation, and enhanced global energy supply.
Key highlights of the guidelines released on Monday include:
– **Open to all**: Both Nigerian and international companies can participate. Foreign firms do not need prior registration in Nigeria but must incorporate under CAMA if awarded a block.
– **Maximum of two blocks** per bidder across the entire round to promote fair competition.
– **Financial thresholds**: Deep offshore bidders must show average turnover of at least $100 million; onshore and shallow water bidders require at least $40 million. New companies may submit parent company guarantees.
– **Exclusion criteria**: Companies owing government fees, insolvent, or with poor regulatory compliance records are barred.
The 50 blocks on offer comprise:
– Onshore and shallow water: PPL 2A29 to PPL 2A62
– Deep offshore and frontier basins: PPL 2010, 307–309, 900–903, 700–703, and 800–803
Bidding will follow a two-stage process — prequalification and technical/commercial submission — with evaluation based on signature bonuses ($3 million–$7 million), work programmes, operating costs, technical capacity, environmental commitments, and corporate governance.
To attract global investors, NUPRC has scheduled an international roadshow:
– Lagos — January 14, 2026
– Dubai — January 26, 2026
– Singapore — January 30, 2026
– Beijing — February 3, 2026
– Houston — February 12, 2026
Interested bidders can register and access full guidelines at **br2025.nuprc.gov.ng**.
The 2025 Licensing Round offers successful bidders exclusive exploration rights for initial terms of 3–5 years, renewable subject to performance.
