…Rig count hits 100
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has approved a total of 740 oil drilling operations in the first 10 months of 2026, as the oil rig count rises to 100.
Of the 740 oil drilling operations approved between January and October, 595 wells were re-entries, and 145 were new drilling operations. The regulator also approved 39 field development plans within the period.
Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, chief executive of the NUPRC, disclosed this on Tuesday at the 44th Annual International Conference and Exhibition of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) in Lagos.
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Eyesan, who was represented by Ahmad Abdullahi, deputy director, Basinal Administration at the commission, said the approvals reflect efforts to accelerate upstream investments, reduce project delays and support Nigeria’s production targets.
“Year to date, about 39 field development plans have been approved. About 145 new well-drilling approvals were granted. Year to date, about 595 well re-entry approvals were granted,” she said.
She said the commission had improved its approval timelines, reducing the costs operators incur while waiting for regulatory clearance to proceed with projects.
“From the regulator’s perspective, to ensure that our energy security is not threatened, we must ensure that we approve field development plans and new well-drilling applications to meet our production targets and guarantee energy availability,” she added.
The approvals come as Nigeria seeks to increase crude oil production, attract fresh investment into its upstream sector and strengthen domestic energy supply.
Eyesan also disclosed that Nigeria’s total rig count had reached 100, although only 46 rigs were active at the time of the presentation.
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Her presentation echoes a similar disclosure by Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum, who said Nigeria’s active oil rigs have quadrupled since 2023, reflecting a recovery in upstream activity as crude oil production climbs to 1.8 million barrels per day.
He reiterated that increased drilling activities are laying the foundation for future production. For him, exploration undertaken today would determine the country’s ability to sustain oil and gas output in the coming years.
“The foundation we are laying is to ensure that we take steps towards achieving sustainable production of oil and gas in the country,” he said.
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Feyishola Jaiyesimi is a writer and storyteller. She currently writes for the energy desk at BusinessDay with a focus on renewable energy and environmental issues. She began her journalism career as an agricultural reporter and now covers the energy sector, including oil, gas, electricity, environment, and renewables. She has been selected for professional training by the US Consulate, Lagos. She is a 2025 Dataphyte Biodiversity Reporting Fellow. Feyishola holds a bachelor’s degree in Zoology and Environmental Biology from Ekiti State University.
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