The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has issued official notices to over 40 holders of Petroleum Prospecting Licences (PPL), informing them of the upcoming expiration of their licences and the conditions required for renewal.
According to the letter issued by NUPRC and signed by its Chief Executive, Gbenga Komolafe, the affected licences—granted during the 2020 Marginal Field Bid Round and awarded in 2022—will expire on June 27, 2025.
The letter, titled “Notification of PPL Tenure Expiration And Conditions For Extension,” outlines the requirements for securing an optional three-year extension.
“To apply for the extension, licence holders must pay an application fee of $5,000,” the letter states. “They must also fulfill the Minimum Work Programme or Minimum Financial Commitment attached to the licence at the time of award, in addition to meeting other obligations.”
This directive is in line with Section 77 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 and the 2022 Regulation on Extension of Licence.
Komolafe emphasized that the notice serves as a formal reminder and urged firms to act promptly if they intend to continue exploration activities beyond the initial licence term.