By Abiodun Folarin
WorldStage– Nigeria’s drive to attract fresh investment into its upstream oil sector received a major boost on Wednesday as the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) welcomed ExxonMobil’s $1 billion commitment to the Usan Infill Project while presenting Petroleum Prospecting Licences (PPLs) to successful bidders in the 2022/2023 Mini Bid Round and the 2024 Licensing Round.
The Commission Chief Executive, NUPRC, Mrs. Oritsemyiwa Eyesan, gave the commendation at the 25th NOG Energy Week Conference and Exhibition today in Abuja.
The Managing Director of ExxonMobil affiliates in Nigeria, Jagir Baxi, had announced the investment commitment at the venue which is expected to add 40,000 barrels per day.
Reacting, Eyesan said the announcement was particularly significant because Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria –ExxonMobil’s affiliate – had not undertaken any drilling operation since 2016.
“With Esso’s last drilling operation dating back to 2016, the resumption of drilling signals renewed potential and value in our deep water acreage,” the NUPRC boss said.
Eyesan said the NUPRC remains steadfast in advancing Nigeria’s portfolio of deep water projects, adding that such developments are essential to achieving national production targets, increasing reserves, sustaining government revenues, and bolstering investor confidence.
In his remarks earlier, the ExxonMobil Nigeria boss, Baxir, praised the NUPRC and other government agencies for their role in facilitating the project.
Esso Exploration and Production is the operator of OML138, which contains the Usan field. The block is operated under a Production Sharing Contract with NNPC Limited. Co-venture partners in OML 138 include Chevron, TotalEnergies, and Nexen, a wholly owned subsidiary of CNOOC.
As a short-cycle investment, the project is expected to sustain and increase production from the Usan field, with first production within 18 months after the seismic data identified the investment opportunity.
In a related development, the NUPRC on Wednesday 8, July 2026, presented Petroleum Prospecting Licences(PPLs) arising from the successful conclusion of the 2022/2023 Mini Bid Round and the Nigeria 2024 Licensing Round.
Some of the companies that were presented with their awards at the venue include: Broron Energy Limited (PPL 2009), Petroli Energy Marketing and Supply Limited (PPL 269), Sahara Deepwater Resources Limited (PPL 270 and PPL 271) and Tulcan Energy E&P Co (PPL 2008).
Companies whose representatives were not present will have their execution ceremonies scheduled shortly at mutually convenient dates.
In total, the exercise covers 12 successful awardees across 19 Petroleum Prospecting Licences, comprising a balanced portfolio of deep offshore, shallow water and continental shelf acreages, reflecting the diversity of opportunities offered through the licensing rounds.
According to the NUPRC, the awards represent another significant milestone in Nigeria’s continuing efforts to deepen investment in the upstream petroleum sector, accelerate exploration activities, expand the nation’s hydrocarbon reserves, and create long-term value for the Nigerian economy.
