Nigeria Approves 145 New Oil Wells

Nigeria’s upstream oil regulator approved 145 new well-drilling operations, 595 well re-entries, and 39 field development plans this year to drive crude production, attract investment, and bolster national energy security.

Speaking at a Lagos oil conference, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) Chief Executive Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan highlighted that streamlined administrative processing has significantly reduced project turnaround times and operational costs for energy companies.

The regulatory agency noted that 46 out of more than 100 available drilling rigs are actively operating this year, marking a 300 per cent surge compared to 2021 activity levels.

Nigeria approves 145 new oil wells (News Central TV) — The logo of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is displayed at the company’s filling station in Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria. March 9, 2026. Credit: REUTERS/Sodiq Adelakun/

Furthermore, seismic companies have injected over $100 million into Nigeria since the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act three years ago, upgrading exploration data and accelerating new reserve discoveries.

Beyond drilling approvals, the NUPRC continues active efforts to curb pervasive crude theft across the country.

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Abisoye Adeyiga

Abisoye Adedoyin Adeyiga holds a PhD in Languages and Media Studies and a Master’s in Education (English Language). Trained in digital marketing and investigative journalism, she is passionate about new media’s transformative power. She enjoys reading, traveling, and meaningful conversations.