- TotalEnergies reaffirmed its commitment to participate in Nigeria’s new licensing round, citing improved transparency and clearer regulations.
- The NUPRC stated that the 2025 licensing round aims to attract new investors, unlock frontier assets, and increase Nigeria’s reserves.
After securing two oil and gas blocks in the 2024 mini-bid round, TotalEnergies has again shown strong interest in Nigeria’s upcoming licensing round. The exercise will commence on December 1, 2025. This renewed interest reflects the company’s confidence in the upstream sector. It also highlights the impact of recent reforms that promote transparency and investor engagement.
During a visit to the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mr Gbenga Komolafe, the President of TotalEnergies Exploration and Production, Mr Nicolas Terraz, restated the company’s plans. His delegation included the Managing Director of TotalEnergies Upstream Companies in Nigeria, Mr Mathieu Bouyer. The team praised the NUPRC for its transparent management of the 2024 mini-bid round. As a result of that process, the Commission awarded PPLs 2000 and 2001 offshore Nigeria.
Terraz noted that the Commission’s clarity and consistency had strengthened investor trust. He added that the 2025 round should benefit from ongoing reforms. According to him, lessons from the 2024 exercise will help deliver stronger outcomes next year. He also reaffirmed TotalEnergies’ long-term commitment to Nigeria. The country, he explained, remains a strategic hub within the company’s global portfolio. Consequently, TotalEnergies will continue to support efforts to build a more competitive and investment-driven upstream sector.
In response, Komolafe highlighted the Commission’s focus on predictable regulation. He pointed out that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 ended years of uncertainty in the sector. Furthermore, he commended TotalEnergies for its community projects through the Obagi Host Communities Development Trust. These initiatives, he said, reflect the true spirit of the PIA.
Despite the global shift toward cleaner energy, Nigeria remains a key destination for upstream investment. Komolafe reported that crude oil output has exceeded 1.7 million barrels per day several times this year. He also noted that the national rig count has climbed to nearly 70, with more than 40 rigs active. In the past ten months, the Commission has approved about $20 billion in Field Development Plans. Several major Final Investment Decisions have also signalled renewed confidence in the sector.
Looking ahead, the NUPRC aims to increase national oil production by 1 million barrels per day. The 2025 licensing round is expected to open new frontiers and attract high-value investors. Komolafe therefore urged energy journalists to prioritise national interest, stressing that accurate and responsible reporting shapes investor perception and strengthens Nigeria’s global competitiveness.