NUPRC, NNRA Collaborate to Cut Radiation Regulations in Oil Sector

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) are joining forces to simplify regulations governing radiation use within the country's oil and gas sector. This collaboration seeks to eliminate overlapping rules and reduce the overall cost of operations for companies involved in exploration and production.

During a meeting in Abuja, the chief executives of both NUPRC and NNRA acknowledged the need to address regulatory gaps and the multiplicity of rules. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, NUPRC's Chief Executive, highlighted that streamlining regulations is essential for improving the ease of doing business and safeguarding investments. "The only way we can safeguard investments is to reduce our cost of operations and when you have multiplicity of laws, the likelihood is that you will have higher costs because each law normally will come with its own fee and charges," she stated.

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The only way we can safeguard investments is to reduce our cost of operations and when you have multiplicity of laws, the likelihood is that you will have higher costs because each law normally will come with its own fee and charges.

The NNRA, responsible for overseeing radioactive sources and radiation technologies, relies heavily on cooperation with the NUPRC, as the upstream petroleum sector is a major user of such materials. Dr. Yau Idris, Director General of NNRA, expressed the goal of a "single window approach" where both agencies share information, preventing operators from submitting duplicate data. This collaboration is particularly crucial given that oil and gas extraction often brings Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) to the surface.

Moving forward, the NUPRC and NNRA will collaborate on ensuring operators conduct radiological impact assessments as part of their Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs). NORM management protocols will be integrated into the NUPRC's environmental guidelines for the upstream sector. Additionally, the two institutions plan to enhance cooperation in training and knowledge sharing related to radiation protection and safe operational practices.

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The goal is a single window approach, where both agencies share information rather than requiring operators to submit the same data twice.