The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has announced plans to license 220 open oil blocks located across Nigeria The commission said the blocks would be sold to successful investors once the bidding process begins The move is aimed at unlocking Nigeria’s underutilised hydrocarbon potential amid economic strain
These long-dormant blocks are not abandoned but are awaiting concession through periodic licensing bid rounds, in line with Section 7(t) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
According to the commission, the blocks will be handed over to successful investors once the formal bidding process begins and the stipulated conditions are fulfilled .
Nigeria’s deep offshore terrain contains the highest number of unlicensed blocks, totalling 59. According to a Punch report, these deepwater areas, while rich in hydrocarbon resources, are costly and complex to explore due to technological and infrastructure demands. The Benue Trough follows closely with 41 open blocks, and the Chad Basin holds 40. Other regions with significant unlicensed assets include the Sokoto Basin (28), Bida Basin (16), Anambra Basin (13), and the offshore and onshore Niger Delta, which still have several dormant blocks despite being historically prolific in oil production.
