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From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has signed a landmark Petroleum Exploration Licence (PEL) No. 5 agreement with SeaSeisGeophysical Limited, aimed at boosting Nigeria’s oil production targets and strengthening reserves growth through enhanced exploration activities.
According to a statement issued by the commission, the agreement, executed in Abuja on Tuesday, also involves global data company TGS and will see the acquisition and processing of new 3D seismic and gravity data across offshore acreages.
NUPRC Chief Executive Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan said the deal demonstrates the commission’s commitment to driving exploration through credible data, transparency and strategic partnerships.
She noted that the initiative aligns with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, which empowers the commission to grant licences on non-exclusive acreages to capable contractors willing to undertake exploration activities.
“The PIA recognises that we assign licences on non-exclusive acreages to contractors who are willing to carry out exploration activity, and as the chief superintendent of the industry, we also ensure that we maintain our production targets, including reserves. The only way we can achieve that successfully is if we have partners who are willing to explore,” Eyesan said.
She added that the execution of the PEL5 agreement signals a growing appetite for exploration within the sector and reflects renewed investor confidence in Nigeria’s upstream industry.
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The three-year licence, according to the statement, covers an extensive offshore area of about 11,700 square kilometres in the Eastern Niger Delta, spanning water depths of 400 to 2,800 metres—one of Nigeria’s most prolific but geologically complex hydrocarbon zones.
It explained that the project is expected to unlock new exploration opportunities, improve subsurface understanding, and support more efficient development of hydrocarbon resources, thereby contributing to increased production output over time.
In his remarks, Managing Director of SeaSeisGeophysical Limited, Goke Adeniyi, described the PEL5 project as the company’s largest in Africa, highlighting the scale of opportunity within Nigeria’s oil sector.
Adeniyi explained that the project would deploy advanced GeoStreamer dual-sensor technology, including long offsets, wide tow, and triple-source broadband acquisition systems, to deliver high-fidelity seismic data.
“We are pleased to be here, not just as SeaSeis but in partnership with TGS. The PEL5 area has been carefully selected, covering approximately 11,700 square kilometres in the Outer Fold and Thrust Belt of the Eastern Niger Delta, Nigeria’s most prolific but complex region.
“We are confident that the resultant high-quality 3D seismic data will provide operators with the clarity needed to evaluate prospects with greater confidence,” he stated.
