The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) will open commercial bidding on Tuesday for 50 oil and gas blocks, with 143 companies set to participate in the final phase of the 2025 licensing round.
The NUPRC Head, Media and Corporate Communications, Eniola Akinkuotu, in a statement on Monday, said the companies which scaled through the transparent and rigorous process have been notified.
He noted that the companies are expected to physically attend the Commercial Bid Conference taking place at the Conference Centre, Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
Attendance is strictly by invitation, the commission said.
According to NUPRC, the blocks on offer are 50 oil and gas blocks across diverse terrains.
“The Niger Delta Onshore (16), Niger Delta Shallow Water (18), Niger Delta Deep Offshore (1), Benin Basin Onshore (3), Anambra Basin Onshore (4), Chad Basin Onshore (4) and Benue Trough (4),” NUPRC said.
In line with the guidelines, the commission said the elements of bid parameters include: the signature bonus, the work programme commitment and commitment to performance security, culminating in a weighted technical and commercial score which will determine a winning bid.
The 2025 Licensing Round was first announced on November 11, 2025 and advertised widely in line with the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.
ALSO READ: Develop assets fast or lose them, NUPRC warns new PPLs holders
The bid portal was launched on 1 December, 2025 for registration, and a pre-bid conference followed on 14 January 2026 at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos.
The pre-bid conference served as an opportunity to educate registered bidders and other interested members of the public about the guidelines of the exercise.
The registration and submission for prequalification evaluation closed on 27 February 2026, while the prequalification stage was completed on 16 March 2026.
“A total of 286 companies made submissions for prequalification, out of which 196 were prequalified to participate in the technical and commercial bid phase. Consequently, 143 companies submitted 200 bids. These 143 companies are expected to take part in the commercial bid conference on 21 July 2026,” the commission said.
