The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has unveiled plans to recover more than 788,000 barrels of crude oil per day from shut-in production across 63 operators, as part of efforts to expand Nigeria’s oil output and unlock investment opportunities in the upstream petroleum industry.
The commission also disclosed that it was working to advance offshore oil and gas projects valued at between $30 billion and $50 billion towards final investment decisions.
Commission Chief Executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, made the disclosure in a speech delivered on her behalf at the 2026 Association of Energy Correspondents of Nigeria (NAEC) Conference in Lagos on Thursday.
Eyesan explained that the commission’s priorities include restoring suspended production, accelerating project approvals, improving domestic gas delivery and creating a more attractive operating environment for investors.
The announcement comes as Nigeria seeks to strengthen petroleum production, improve foreign exchange earnings and increase the contribution of the oil and gas industry to national economic development.
NUPRC Identifies Production Recovery Opportunities
According to Eyesan, the commission has identified more than 788,000 barrels per day of shut-in production across 63 upstream operators.
Shut-in production refers to oil output that has been suspended or temporarily halted because of operational, commercial, security or other constraints.
Restoring such production can provide an opportunity to increase output from existing assets without relying exclusively on the discovery and development of new oilfields.
However, the recovery process may require infrastructure repairs, technical assessments, financing and the resolution of operational challenges.
Eyesan said the commission was working with operators and other stakeholders to address constraints affecting production.
“Our key priority is simple: restoring the more than 788,000 barrels per day of shut-in production identified across 63 operators,” she stated.
The figure represents a production recovery target rather than crude oil already returned to the market.
The actual volume recovered will depend on the condition of the affected assets and the successful implementation of remedial measures.
Regulator Eyes $30bn to $50bn Offshore Projects
Beyond restoring shut-in production, the NUPRC is seeking to move major offshore projects towards final investment decisions.
Eyesan disclosed that projects valued at an estimated $30 billion to $50 billion were being targeted for advancement.
A final investment decision represents a significant stage in petroleum project development because it indicates that the parties involved have approved the commitment of capital to proceed with a project.
Before reaching this stage, operators typically assess technical feasibility, commercial viability, regulatory requirements and financing arrangements.
Nigeria’s offshore petroleum resources offer substantial opportunities, but large projects require significant investment and long development periods.
The commission’s objective is to create conditions that encourage operators to commit capital and proceed with project execution.
However, the projected investment range should not be interpreted as funding already secured or disbursed.
Drilling Approvals and Well Re-Entry Increase
The NUPRC also disclosed progress in regulatory approvals for upstream operations.
According to Eyesan, 77 wells had been successfully re-entered, while 128 wells were approved for drilling in 2026.
Well re-entry involves returning to an existing well to conduct operations that may include repairs, testing, further development or efforts to restore production.
This approach can sometimes provide a more economical route to increasing output than drilling entirely new wells.
The approval of additional drilling activities also suggests continued efforts to expand upstream operations.
Nevertheless, regulatory approval does not necessarily mean that drilling has commenced or that a well has begun producing crude oil.
Actual production gains will depend on project execution, reservoir performance and infrastructure availability.
Domestic Gas Supply Also a Priority
The commission identified improved domestic gas delivery as another important objective.
Eyesan said the NUPRC was working to increase gas supply from approximately two-thirds of the domestic obligation to full delivery.
Nigeria possesses significant natural gas resources, which are important for electricity generation, industrial production and other economic activities.
Gas-fired power plants depend on reliable fuel supply to maintain electricity generation.
Manufacturers and industrial operators also require dependable gas infrastructure to support production and reduce reliance on more expensive energy sources.
Improving domestic gas delivery could therefore support electricity availability and industrial competitiveness.
However, meeting domestic supply obligations will require effective transportation infrastructure, commercial arrangements and coordination among producers and consumers.
Investment Climate Remains Central
Nigeria’s upstream petroleum sector has faced challenges associated with security, infrastructure, financing and regulatory uncertainty.
These issues can delay investment decisions and increase project development costs.
The Petroleum Industry Act established a regulatory framework intended to improve governance, transparency and investment conditions.
The NUPRC plays a central role in implementing upstream regulatory requirements and overseeing petroleum operations.
Faster approval processes and predictable regulatory decisions could help reduce project delays and improve investor confidence.
Recovery Targets Could Support Oil Revenue
Restoring suspended production could have important economic implications for Nigeria.
Additional crude oil output may increase export volumes, support foreign exchange earnings and strengthen government revenue.
Higher production could also generate demand for drilling contractors, engineering firms, logistics providers and other petroleum service companies.
However, the economic benefits will depend on actual production recovery, international crude prices and applicable fiscal arrangements.
Focus on Execution
The commission’s latest targets highlight the scale of opportunities available within Nigeria’s existing petroleum assets.
Attention will now shift to the implementation of recovery programmes, the progress of offshore investment decisions and the commencement of approved drilling activities.
For Nigeria, the successful recovery of shut-in production could represent an important step towards improving oil output without depending entirely on new discoveries.
The NUPRC maintained that restoring production, attracting investment and improving domestic gas delivery remain central to strengthening the country’s upstream petroleum industry.
