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NUPRC dismisses oil block licensing irregularity claims, assures transparency

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NUPRC defends oil block licensing

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has strongly denied allegations of irregularities in the 2024 oil block licensing round, asserting the process was transparent and strictly adhered to legal guidelines, while also refuting claims of mass license expirations

The NUPRC Oil Block licensing round of 2024 has been vigorously defended by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), which has dismissed all allegations of irregularities.

Also read: Oil crash hits Nigeria’s budget

The commission insists that the entire process was conducted in strict adherence to existing laws and guidelines, refuting reports claiming violations of oil licensing procedures and improper allocation of blocks.

In a statement issued on Thursday, NUPRC addressed reports that alleged the allocation of blocks to companies with questionable eligibility.

The Commission Chief Executive, Gbenga Komolafe, clarified that the licensing round was executed in full compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and NUPRC’s own licensing frameworks.

Komolafe described the bidding process as transparent, competitive, and technologically driven. He directly addressed claims suggesting that a company registered just days before bidding was awarded oil blocks, by clarifying that the guidelines do not restrict participation based on the age of a company.

Instead, eligibility is determined through a comprehensive evaluation of technical competence, financial capacity, and legal standing.

The NUPRC boss explained that the technical and financial qualifications of a bidder are judged not by when a company was registered, but by the capacity and track record of its promoters or parent firms.

“This approach allows newly formed Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), when backed by credible and experienced industry players, to compete effectively and fairly,” Komolafe stated.

He further detailed that the 2024 Licensing Round involved multiple stages, including prequalification, technical evaluation, and commercial bid evaluation.

Applicants were required to demonstrate financial capability, technical expertise, and legal compliance by submitting detailed documentation, such as incorporation papers, tax clearances, and proof of operational experience.

“The pre-qualification window was open with no restrictions on company age,” Komolafe highlighted. “The commercial bidding phase was carried out digitally using encrypted technology to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of the data.

The results were announced transparently and publicly, featuring live televised sessions that were observed by stakeholders, including the Nigerian Extractive Industry Initiative (NEITI) and relevant government ministries.”

He added that the commercial bid evaluation was conducted using a transparent, digital, and point-based assessment system, which included Signature Bonus, Proposed Work Programme Financial Commitments, and Work Performance Security.

Meanwhile, the Commission also debunked reports claiming that 40 oil block licenses would expire on June 27, 2025. It described the report, based on data misinterpreted from the NUPRC website, as misleading and capable of creating unnecessary alarm within the industry.

NUPRC clarified that the 40 Petroleum Prospecting Licences (PPLs) referenced are at different stages of exploration and development. Many operators have already applied to convert their PPLs to Petroleum Mining Leases (PMLs) as provided by the PIA, and these applications are currently undergoing regulatory review.

It further explained that several of the licensees have met the minimum work programme requirements under Section 78 of the PIA, making them eligible for extensions, stressing that production start-up is not the only benchmark for compliance.

NUPRC urged media platforms to ensure factual and contextual reporting, in line with regulatory statutes. It reiterated its commitment to a transparent and inclusive regulatory regime that protects public interest and supports the sustainable development of Nigeria’s oil and gas resources.

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Nigerian Exchange loses N183bn as bearish sentiment hits blue-chip stocks

Nigerian Exchange loses N183bn amid continued bearish sentiment, with market capitalisation dropping to N72.5tn and blue-chip stocks facing sharp declines.

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Nigerian Exchange loses N183bn

Nigerian Exchange loses N183bn amid continued bearish sentiment, with market capitalisation dropping to N72.5tn and blue-chip stocks facing sharp declines

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Legal Battle Brews Between Adron Homes, Estate Property Owners Over Facility Management, Ownership Rights

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Adron Homes

A legal conflict is intensifying between Adron Homes Properties Limited and property owners at its Treasure Park & Gardens estate in Simawa, Ogun State, over facility management, alleged disregard for court orders, and the fundamental issue of ownership rights

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Oando records N4.1trn revenue in 2024

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Oando PLC, Africa’s leading integrated energy company listed on both the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) and Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), has posted a 44per cent increase in revenue to N4.1trillion in 2024, compared to N2.9 trillion recorded in 2023.

In the upstream, Oando’s production witnessed a 3per cent increase to 23,727 boepd; made up of crude oil production which increased by 27per cent to 7,558 bopd, while NGL production and gas decreased respectively by 35per cent to 156 bpd, and 5per cent to 16,013 boepd.

The company’s 2P reserves grew 95per cent year-on-year to 983 MMboe (2023: 505 MMboe), representing a 188per cent reserves replacement ratio and underscoring the strength of the company’s upstream portfolio post-acquisition.

The company also reported a sustained operational uptime of 86per cent, supporting off-take reliability and reducing deferred production.

Speaking on the company’s upstream performance, Group Chief Executive, Oando PLC, Wale Tinubu said, “2024 was a defining year for Oando, with the successful acquisition and integration of NAOC marking the culmination of a decade-long strategic growth journey which has significantly deepened our upstream portfolio, resulting in our assumption of operatorship of the OML 60–63 series and the doubling of our working interest in the assets from 20per cent to 40per cent, as well as our 2P reserves from 500 million barrels of oil equivalent to 1 billion barrels.

In the downstream, Oando’s trading subsidiary reported that it sold 20.7 million barrels of crude oil in 2024; a 37per cent decline from 2023 due to structural changes in the Nigerian oil market.

Additionally, refined product volumes declined by 64per cent to just over 599 kMT, due to weakened domestic demand, driven by the challenging macroeconomic in-country.

Projections for global oil prices and demand in 2025 remain uncertain due to persistent macroeconomic and trade policy uncertainties.

JP Morgan pegs Brent to peak at $66/bbl in 2025 and $58/bbl in 2026 while the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) predictions project Brent crude oil prices to fall from an average of $81 per barrel (b) in 2024 to $74/b in 2025 and $66/b in 2026 citing an increase in global production coupled with slower global demand growth.

Within its renewable energy business, the company continued to advance its clean energy agenda recording measurable progress across multiple verticals.

By the end of 2024 the electric mass transit programme had covered 121,145 km, transported over 205,000 passengers, displacing 163,546 kg of CO₂ emissions and saving more than 60,000 litres of diesel.

Other notable achievements include signing MoUs for wind projects with Cross River and Edo State as well as launching a geothermal feasibility study in collaboration with NNPC, exploring the conversion of mature wells to renewable power assets.

As the company continues to integrate its expanded portfolio following its most recent strategic acquisition, current projections show it’s gone into 2025 with strong momentum and clear ambition.

Tinubu further remarked that “Looking ahead, 2025 will be our year of execution. Our key priorities shall include unlocking synergies from the acquisition, addressing above-ground security risks through the implementation of a revamped security framework aimed at curbing the persistent theft of oil, cost optimization, balance sheet restructuring, enhancing operational efficiency, and leveraging technology to improve productivity across our operations.

“In our bid to ramp up production towards achieving our target of 100,000 bopd and 1.5 tcf of gas by 2029, we shall pursue a dual-track approach of rig-less interventions and well workovers, complemented by an aggressive drilling program.

“We are excited by the opportunities that lie ahead and remain committed to delivering enhanced shareholder returns, shared prosperity and maintaining our position as a leading player in Africa’s evolving energy landscape,” he said.

The published audited FY 2024 results also include approximately four months of contribution from Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), following the completion of the acquisition on August 22, 2024. Following this, the company has set a production guidance of 30,000–40,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) in its 2025 outlook.

This aligns with its post-acquisition optimisation plans to maximise portfolio value and supports its four-year target of reaching 100,000 barrels per day.

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