7,942 oil service permits, 49 licences granted in Q1 — Report

Nigeria issued 7,942 oil and gas industry service permits and 49 upstream monitoring licenses in the first quarter of 2026, according to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission's (NUPRC) Upstream Service Industry Newsletter. This reflects continued activity in the upstream petroleum sector, despite a 22.3% decrease in permit volumes compared to the fourth quarter of 2025.

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A total of 7,942 permits were issued under the OGISP in Q1 2026. This represents a 22.3 per cent decline compared to Q4 2025. Major and specialised permit categories accounted for over 90 per cent of total permits issued.

The NUPRC attributed the moderation in permit numbers to normal regulatory cycles, not a slowdown in industry activity. Major and specialized permit categories constituted over 90% of all permits issued. The licenses granted covered areas such as rig inspections, certifications, hydraulic workover, and vessel operations. February saw the highest licensing activity, accounting for approximately 49% of the total, with rig-related licenses making up about 69% of approvals.

The upstream service sector demonstrated stable performance during the period. This was supported by ongoing licensing activities, efficient permit processing, and regulatory reforms designed to enhance transparency and operational efficiency. Key policy reforms, licensing advancements, and strategic collaborations strengthened investor confidence and supported operational activities across the upstream oil and gas value chain.

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The future of upstream operations will be driven by data, technology and intelligent decision-making. The Integrated Operations Monitoring Centre provides us with a real-time operational view of our assets, enabling quicker decisions, improved collaboration and enhanced operational efficiency. It reinforces our commitment to deploying innovation to deliver safer, smarter and more resilient operations across OML 17.

Further progress in the sector included the signing of a new 11,700-square-kilometer 3D seismic survey agreement and record gas output by major operators. Nigeria's active rig count increased to 73 in March 2026, up from 72 in January and February, indicating sustained drilling and expansion of exploration and production programs.

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