The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) says it has approved 128 new wells for drilling and the re-entry of 77 existing wells in 2026 as Nigeria intensifies efforts to increase oil and gas production.
The commission’s chief executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, disclosed this on Thursday at the Nigerian Association of Energy Correspondents (NAEC) conference.
The conference, themed “Access to Assets: Empowering Players and Driving Growth”, focused on improving access to oil and gas assets and creating opportunities to expand investment in Nigeria’s energy sector.
According to the NUPRC, the approvals cover 205 wells in total, comprising new drilling projects and the re-entry of existing wells.
Re-entry operations involve returning to previously drilled wells to resume or undertake further activities, potentially helping operators recover additional hydrocarbons from existing assets.
The approvals come as Nigeria seeks to strengthen production from its upstream petroleum sector, attract investment and maximise the value of its oil and gas resources.
Access to oil and gas assets remains a key issue for industry operators, with regulatory processes, investment requirements and infrastructure influencing the pace of development.
The NUPRC regulates Nigeria’s upstream petroleum industry, overseeing exploration and production activities in the sector.
Further details on the approved wells, including their locations, operators and expected production capacity, were not provided in the information available.
